At a time when environmental preoccupations are becoming the rule, utilising raw water provides an opportunity to commit to a more respectful way of managing water resources. In a climate of budgetary constraints, exploiting resources which are fit-for-purpose can also reduce public and private expenditure.
This assessment study of raw water in the Plaine Commune territory was born of a realisation: the territory has a lot of resources. So how can they be exploited? How to replace the use of drinking water with non-drinking water? How to re-create a link between the city and its water, whether for on-going maintenance purposes (cleaning, watering…) or in order to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants, while combatting the phenomena of urban heat islands and creating recreational, vibrant spaces?
Plaine Commune chose to launch a call for tender on this subject. Apur won the tender and it was supervised by the Department of Sanitation and Water.
The study was carried out in three stages:
- A shared diagnostic concerning the presence of water in the territory and the identification of raw water resources and needs.
- Identification of the main aspects of the urban morphology and the sectors suitable for trials in order to assess the use of raw water in public and private space.
- Finally, a third section aimed at testing the technical and financial feasibility of the utilisation of raw water.
