The main principles

Water and Pollution control

Water & Pollution control

We produce more waste than nature and water are able to absorb.

We produce more waste than nature and water are able to absorb !
Reducing waste and polluting discharges in water, continuing to treat pollution of all kinds and all origins is an important objective.

We produce more waste than nature and water are able to absorb

Around 600 purification plants exist in the communities of the basin.

No pause for waste water treatment

Around 600 waste water plants exist in the communities of the basin, but a thousand small communes must upgrade their waste water network and around forty medium-sized urban areas still need to upgrade their urban wastewater plants.

Toxic substances

We need to understand, reduce and phase out emissions of hydrocarbons, heavy metals, solvents, and other dangerous toxic substances.

Industry and small businesses can produce and use substances which are toxic. Eventually, companies will have to eliminate or replace the most dangerous substances. Individuals are also concerned, because some dangerous products are found in urban wastewater discharges.

Pesticides: reviewing our practices

(cf. Water and Health challenges) Agriculture is a major user of these products, as are towns and villages. Railways, golf courses, individuals, professional and amateur gardeners also use them! A change of practice by the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors (communities, public authorities, individuals), support for sustainable and/or organic agriculture by the community and individuals, commitment by communities to no longer use pesticides, our decision to go natural in the garden, are key areas for action.

Nitrates : don't stop

Fertilising substances containing nitrates improve crop yields, but an excess of nitrogen can remain when the crops do not absorb all the fertilizers used. In most cases, these are “washed away” by rain and carried into underground water, making it unfit for consumption as drinking water. The agriculture has made efforts which have enabled stabilisation of nitrate content in the basin’s underground water. This action must be continued and intensified.