PONT DU GARD The “Gardons Water Relays” are coming to an end with a day of activities

If the rainy spring that we are experiencing has somewhat recharged the water tables, the fact remains that water is “a resource that must be preserved”, recalls the first vice-president of the EPTB Gardons Méryl Debierre. The idea is to get this message across but also to raise awareness of the risks, particularly those linked to flooding, which recent news has highlighted. And in this Olympic year, the idea is to do it by mixing sport, “with which we have common values ​​of solidarity, respect, team spirit and health”, recalls Méryl Debierre.

So throughout this month of “Gardons Water Relay”, hikes or even running races were organized, like this Saturday morning at Pont du Gard, where an 8 kilometer race brought together fifty pairs of runners. Then, on the Right Bank esplanade, activities are offered until this evening: a photo exhibition, a virtual reality flood simulator or two simulators offered by the French Association for Disaster Prevention natural and technological (AFPCNT) which make it possible to become aware of the difficulty of opening a car or garage door during a flood.

With this event, the EPTB Gardons is part of the dynamic driven by the National Association of Basin Elected Officials. “Water Relays” are thus organized in fifteen territories. “We took advantage of the Olympic Games to highlight our common values ​​and bring together water and sport,” summarizes the director of the association Catherine Gremillet. An operation financed 70% by the Water Agency, in which the French Biodiversity Office, the French Canoe-Kayak Federation, the AFPCNT therefore, and numerous associations, “all united for one” also participate. common subject, a common good, water, which belongs to us all but is running out, it is a major subject,” affirms Méryl Debierre.

Joint work also illustrated by the fact that this day at Pont du Gard is held in the middle of the climate weekend of the Community of Communes of Pont du Gard. “This weekend is an opportunity for us to get involved, to work hand in hand,” says the president of the CCPG Pierre Prat, who recalls that the intermunicipality has made the choice to achieve carbon neutrality of here in 2040, ten years before the legal obligation. “It’s an ambitious goal, but we’re going to keep it,” he says.

And to achieve these environmental objectives, “it is necessary to raise awareness,” believes Méryl Debierre. The “Gardons Water Relays” are held until 5 p.m. on the right bank at the Pont du Gard. Note, in addition to the activities and stands, that an interactive conference by professional photographer Yannick Gouguenheim, specialist in underwater images, will be offered at 4 p.m.