VIDEO. A revolutionary “river tank” costing 300,000 euros to save the waters of the Lot from an invasive plant

In the summer of 2025, the most infested places will be released. The Lot will regain its splendor, and above all breathe. This is the technology that will help overcome a real problem for the river and its tributaries, from Port de Penne to Aiguillon and its confluence with the Garonne. Its name: jussie, an exotic plant that thrives a little too much in the Lot valley. The latest calculations estimated the extent of this plant across the waters of the valley at 50 hectares.

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A new “river tank” tested against jussie

If it has impacts on the natural environment – ​​by saturating oxygen and preventing light from penetrating to the bottom of the water – “it also causes problems for navigation and swimming” judges Avril Cantin, the head of the river center of the Mixed Syndicate for the Development of the Lot Valley. No miracle solution exists to overcome it. But thanks to long-term work carried out by SmavLot, a revolutionary machine will turn the tide.

A “tank” worth €300,000

We mentioned it last spring, SmavLot tested several machines, in Temple-sur-Lot and Granges-sur-Lot. “River tanks”, perched on caterpillars, allowing you to move forward both on land and in water. At the front, claws or mechanical arms, depending on the model, capable of tearing off the juice in no time. 1,000 and 2,000 m² of plants can be removed from the river waters in the space of a day. The equivalent of the work of 10 people, while bringing the jussie to the banks.

The president of SmavLot Jacques Borderie, like all the elected officials concerned by the problem, was excited by this concentration of technologies. Small problem, the significant investment and the fact that SmavLot had to fend for itself to find a solution, particularly on the financial level. Acquiring such a machine – with the most optimal option, that of the articulated arm – costs 300,000 euros. The good news arrived very recently: the Water Agency is ready to subsidize the purchase up to 80%.

Compost and biogas

A file led jointly by Avril Cantin and Damien Crabanat, who also put together the call for tenders to allow the production of “custom” equipment, but also its operation and maintenance. Another issue in purchasing the “river tank” is the question of recycling the juice. Two “lanes” will be operated over the next two years. The first is that of biogas. Traces of methane were identified by analyzing the plant. “We had samples of jussie tested in a laboratory in Belgium,” explains Avril Cantin.

The largest methanizer in Lot-et-Garonne, the Total Biogaz site in Villeneuve-sur-Lot will recover part of the plants taken out of the water and dried. The SmavLot will also explore the compost route, by storing juice and then fertilizing the soil. Back to Mother Nature in a way. “We do not want to waste time, and not do one more season with this invasive plant,” insists President Borderie. Lot practitioners will be even more delighted.