To bridge the gap between the daily consumption of 44,000 m3 of drinking water and its production of 40,000 m3 which is worth the current water towers, drilling and leak detection have been launched. But the master weapon of State services remains the desalination plant carrying an additional 5,000m3 per day initially, to reach 10,000m3, according to the prefect's summary last August.
Mayotte already has a desalination plant in Petite-Terre which was not subject to as many environmental precautions at the time of its creation, but standards and concerns have evolved since then.
If, according to the State representative, the green light will be given by the General Inspector of Environment and Sustainable Development, on the preservation of the mangrove, that of the white crabeater and the discharge of water on- salt in the lagoon, the Marine Natural Park (PNM) was also contacted by the Department of Environment, Planning and Housing of Mayotte (DEALM), to deliver a compliant opinion.
Unlike a simple opinion, within the framework of the assent, the DEALM is obliged to take the decision into account. This shows the importance of the PNM vote, a “no” meaning the rejection of the project as it stands.
Missing data
“For or against a 2th desalination plant”, the members of the PNM had to decide. And it was in favor of its implementation that they voted, with 23 votes for, 8 against, and one abstention. A yes, however, annexed with 4 reservations. “They secure the project, and condition the agreement of the Park,” explains Annabelle Djeribi, the new director of the PNM.
First of all, it involves adjusting the current model by integrating more parameters to obtain more precise results on the brine discharge zone, water concentrated in salt. “It will then be a matter of studying the consequences of the discharges on the marine environment.”
Data which must complete the file, as well as new elements also requested by the Park.
The 3th The reservation concerns the establishment by the DEALM of a Marine Environment Monitoring Committee from the start of the project, made up of the various players in the sector. “We asked for a currentology professional and an ecotoxicologist to be integrated.”
Finally, it is requested that this Committee study all of this data.
Valorization of brines
Alongside the reservations, prescriptions have also been included. “We are asking that they be added to the order creating the desalination plant,” mentions Annabelle Djeribi. This involves exploring avenues not yet mentioned, such as the valorization of brines, on which we had questioned Prefect Bieuville, or that of sludge. But also, on how to store chemicals during construction and training workers in environmental issues. Or to write feedback on the environmental impacts during operation, “so that it will be useful when creating future factories in Mayotte or elsewhere. »
The PNM deliberation on the desalination plant must be published soon.
A second point was on the agenda, that of the candidacy of Annabelle Djebiri at the head of the Park, still chaired by Abdou Dahalani, who was until now its deputy director. Here again, a favorable opinion confirms his arrival following the departure of Christophe Fontreyde to the Camargue Regional Park.
Anne Perzo-Lafond
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