the essential
A branch is being installed on the site of the Oust recycling center to further perfect the organization of the water service.
It’s like a “little gift”, in any case a promised promise that the elected officials of the community of communes came to appreciate, on a cool but sunny morning, accompanied by the president of the SMDEA, Christine Téqui. Welcomed by the mayor of Oust, Richard De Meritens, they discovered the very first antenna, still temporary in a somewhat Spartan prefabricated building before permanent construction, of the water service.
The fruit of two years of work in partnership with the SMDEA has made it possible to perfect the organization of the service between the two communities: the community of municipalities, which manages the service, and the SMDEA. “With this reorganization by watershed, in collaboration with the Water Agency, the community will manage 29 more municipalities and the SMDEA part of the Séronais. These new buildings will allow us to work close to all the surrounding valleys, Massatois, Aulus and Ustou,” explains Jean-Noël Vigneau, president of the community of communes.
Later, a similar branch will complete the system in Cescau to manage the municipalities of Castillonnais. “We will be able to ensure this transition phase and work normally. All this is, of course, neutral for users: the price of water will not change,” adds Jean-Noël Vigneau. Five agents will permanently occupy the buildings, contributing to improving the asset management of the infrastructure, their renewal as well as optimized and efficient operation of the service.
This reorganization is welcomed by Christine Téqui, president of the SMDEA: “The fruit of two years of step-by-step discussions, this reorganization tends towards more coherence, without impact for fellow citizens. Implementing services in the territories is an outcome in the continuity of better service, while paying attention to the question of human resources. »
“It’s a great challenge,” continues Bernard Lamary, vice-president in charge of water and sanitation at the intercommunality. We will gain in responsiveness and consistency throughout the territory with this unit and that of Cescau, with five agents on site each, in close connection with the main unit in Saint-Lizier. »
However, the reorganization was accompanied by the transfer of voluntary agents, which was not without arousing reactions. Strikes took place last October and November. “The situation is evolving, we are still talking with staff representatives to find solutions, achieve calm and work calmly together. We must continue to offer a quality service to all our subscribers in Couserans,” concludes Bernard Lamary.
With 78 municipalities now under its management, the water service manages 23,000 subscribers.
