While France is hit by an unprecedented drought, some territories fear for their drinking water supply.
In the Côtes-d'Armor, the reserves are estimated at "30 to 35 days" if the rain does not fall.
To cope with these crises, which are bound to multiply, underground networks have been developed, particularly in Ille-et-Vilaine.
The subject of water is undoubtedly one of the most complex to deal with.
Firstly because it touches on a very precious but coveted resource.
But also because it is difficult to find one's way in the various joint syndicates sometimes managing sanitation, the treatment of rainwater or the distribution of drinking water.
This is why there are often as many water prices as municipalities in France.
Very costly, the investments made by communities to secure supply are not very sexy in the eyes of taxpayers.
While France is experiencing an unprecedented drought, certain expenses are nevertheless proving life-saving.
To avoid leaks but also to link territories together.
Explanations.
The press release from the Côtes d'Armor department fell at the same time as the Breton drizzle.
As the weather temporarily becomes rainy again in Brittany, the community is sending an alarmist message in order to be heard: "drinking water resources will inevitably be exhausted in the medium term", alerts the prefecture, citing a delay of "30 to 35 days in certain sectors.
In Brittany, the situation could be much worse if the different territories were not connected by pipes.
“Today, 10% of our drinking water production goes to the neighbour,” assures Michel Demolder, president of the Eau du Bassin Rennes (EBR) syndicate.
The “neighbor” he speaks of is the Vitré sector, whose resources are almost exhausted.
And who can thus take less in the neighboring territory of Dinan,
The #water tower of #Brittany is located in the Kreiz Breizh, preserve the resource in the general interest.
If the rivers join the oceans, Central Brittany cannot be constantly indebted.
An "anadromous" reflection of Solidarity in Bzh remains to be built pic.twitter.com/Io9MBpg5gr
– CGT PONTIVY (@CGTPONTIVY) July 1, 2022
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His union, for example, decided to stop pumping in the Couesnon, whose level is very low, to use it in the Bougrières pond.
This old quarry is supposed to be used as a spare tire in case of severe drought.
This year, the community has already drawn 400,000 liters of water there, lowering the level by more than one meter.
"We take here to avoid taking at the Chèze dam", explains Laurent Guéneau.
The director of EBR relies on a simple observation.
The water reservoir of Saint-Thurial has a very small catchment area which prevents it from filling up quickly, which is not the case of Bougrières.
A big pipe at 45 million euros
And it's not over.
A 60 km long aqueduct project is underway between Bains-sur-Ouest and Rennes.
An expenditure estimated at more than 45 million euros which will make it possible to connect Ille-et-Vilaine, Morbihan and Loire-Atlantique.
In summer, Rennes could supply the very busy seaside resorts.
And in winter, get help from your neighbours.
A project that was contested by elected environmentalists, believing that it was necessary above all to act on the renovation of existing pipes.
In Rennes, their “loss rate” is nevertheless considered excellent with “only” 9%.
In France, the average leak in pipes is estimated at 20%, or one liter in five.
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