Breaking: Canet-en-Roussillon Inaugurates Wastewater Recycling System to Combat Water Scarcity
In a significant step towards sustainable water management, the city of Canet-en-Roussillon has inaugurated a new system for recycling treated wastewater. This initiative is part of a broader effort by Perpignan Méditerranée Métropole to address the severe water scarcity issues plaguing the region, particularly in the wake of the 2023 drought in Pyrénées-Orientales.
Responding to a Health Emergency
“This system responds to a health emergency,” said Stéphane Loda, the mayor of Canet-en-Roussillon. The new recycling system will utilize treated wastewater from the city’s treatment plant for watering green spaces, irrigating agricultural land, and combating fires. Previously, drinking water sourced from the Pliocene and Quaternary groundwater was used for these purposes.
According to a technician from EPUR, a subsidiary of Veolia, approximately 36,500 cubic meters of treated wastewater will be reused annually. The treatment process involves filtration, UV treatment, and chlorination, ensuring the water’s quality and safety.
Years of Dedicated Work
The mayor expressed his satisfaction with the project’s completion, noting that it was the culmination of over four years of work often delayed by legislative hurdles. “I am very happy that the project finally materializes. It is the culmination of more than four years of work, often slowed down by binding legislation,” he said.
Comprehensive Water Management Strategy
Canet-en-Roussillon has taken several measures to address climate change. In 2021, the city removed the slots of beaches and began reusing water from the Franco Arlette Pool for street cleaning and washing. Additionally, a desalination unit has been installed at the port.
Future Implementation
Following Canet-en-Roussillon’s lead, the cities of Pollestres and Le Barcarès are set to implement their own wastewater recycling systems. This comprehensive approach to water management underscores the region’s commitment to sustainability and resilience in the face of climatic challenges.
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