Monday, December 2, local stakeholders gathered in Flavin for act 3 of the Water Meetings. After two years of work, the goal remains the same: to preserve water resources in the face of a more than uncertain future.
This year again, the Water Meetings were held this Monday, December 2, at the Flavin Technical Center. A second progress update on six areas of work, initiated in 2022. “Water was a very strong concern in 2022. During the last two years, the weather has been reassuring, but we know that this will probably be temporary. Aveyron, we like to be one step ahead,” explains Arnaud Viala, the president of the department. A way to “limit damage and ensure that Aveyron continues to be a preserved place to live”.
“Avoid too much damage”
This meeting made it possible to discuss the progress of the work. The study of a new reserve in the Aveyron basin, initiated by the Adour-Garonne Water Agency, will be finalized by the end of the year, before the consultation and decision planned for 2025. Also, the actors are communicating more than ever in the magazine “l'Aveyron”, to raise awareness among Aveyron residents of the water challenge.
Moving forward, stakeholders will focus on other aspects of sustainable development impacted by climate change, with the departmental resilience pact. After the method has been chosen, the aspects to be treated as priorities will be defined in 2025. “We want to influence climate change to prevent there being too much damage.”
High stakes
At the Flavin technical center, a water economist was present. The objective: to find solutions to act locally and contribute to a regional, national and global effort, in consultation with all stakeholders.
Among the issues in Aveyron, drinking water. “It must be secure. Today, hundreds of municipalities in Aveyron do not have drinking water security. Also, farmers must be able to create small reserves to secure their crops. It is difficult with the administrative complexity which remains, even if we try to lighten it with state services”, presents Jacques Molières, the president of the chamber of agriculture.
