The floods which are currently affecting several departments, “with record levels of rain since 1920, are, like droughts, manifestations of accelerating climate change”declared Dan Lert, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of ecological transition and water, before the Paris Council meeting this week.
On the Parisian territory, “major risks” on water resources, which were expected by 2050, could occur as early as 2030, details the plan adopted by the Council. The increase in episodes of drought and the need to cool the city raise fears of shortages beyond 2050.
The capital, where drinking water consumption has already fallen significantly over the past 20 years, is aiming for a 15% reduction in water withdrawals by 2030 as part of its climate plan. An objective which concerns the city’s drinking and non-drinking water resources, the specificity of which is to have a double network designed in the 19th century during Haussmann’s work.
And “ecological asset because it allows the use of untreated water for watering gardens, cleaning streets, maintaining sewers…”explained Antoine Guillou, deputy mayor in charge of cleanliness, during a press briefing.
Non-potable water withdrawals (in the Canal de l’Ourcq, the Ourcq river, the Marne and the Seine) will have to fall by 20%, notably through optimization of uses by municipal services, the main users.
On the drinking water side, the town hall is aiming for a 10% reduction in withdrawals from groundwater (in Seine-et-Marne, Yonne and Eure) and surface water (Marne and Seine) compared to 2019 .
It also intends to reduce leaks, knowing that the profitability of drinking water is already high in Paris. “where out of 100 liters of water taken, 91 liters end up in the tap”underlines Dan Lert, also president of Eau de Paris.
To identify leaks, 3,000 acoustic sensors were installed on the sewer pipes, at a cost of 14 million euros, details the elected environmentalist.
In the seventeen municipal swimming pools, the filtration system will be better maintained to reduce the number of emptyings, he adds. Sobriety also targets ornamental fountains, with push buttons installed on the city’s 107 Wallace fountains.
