SAUR composting platform in Tourrettes: the Var prefect takes emergency measures and sanctions the operator
The bad weather of October 25 and 26, 2024 caused environmental pollution through the discharge into the natural environment of approximately 300 m3 of contaminated water from the composting installation operated by the SAUR group in the town of Tourrettes.
The repetition of disasters after previous spills in February and March 2024 led the DREAL services (inspection of classified installations) to carry out a new on-site inspection on October 30.
This visit revealed that the external water diversion ditch was not sufficiently calibrated or maintained, and that the operator had not sufficiently anticipated the extent of the rainy event, despite the alarming weather forecasts, by carrying out a prior evacuation of the dirty water stored on site to a suitable treatment sector. This operation would have made it possible to empty the existing retention capacities and make them fully available.
Faced with these findings, the prefect issued an order of emergency measures to impose on the SAUR, at short notice, actions of sampling and analysis of the discharged water, emptying of the basins, cleaning and recalibration of the ditch located around the site, as well as measures to guarantee the availability of retention capacity for rainwater in the event of bad weather.
Furthermore, the prefect imposed an administrative fine of €15,000 on SAUR for the damage caused by the spill in the natural environment.
The prefect informed the mayor of Tourrettes of these decisions.
