The drought is still continuing in France with nearly three-quarters of the water tables below normal levels. Among the avenues considered to limit the pressure on the resource: the reuse of wastewater, still very little developed in the country. A decree was published on Wednesday to simplify this use.
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In France, only 1% of treated wastewater is reused. It is ten times more in other countries like Spain or Italy. By treated wastewater, we mean that which comes out of a treatment plant after domestic or industrial use. The idea is to use it much more to limit withdrawals from groundwater.
This decree therefore simplifies the authorization procedure necessary to make use of it with the aim of generalizing its use for activities which today consume drinking water, such as cleaning roads or watering certain green spaces.
It is out of the question to use this water for anything related to food, body hygiene or recreation such as swimming pools.
This decree is a first step in the implementation of a measure by Emmanuel Macron, which he presented in the water plan in March. It will indeed be followed in the coming months by ministerial decrees and other regulatory texts which this time will concern the agri-food industry in particular, with this stated objective: to catch up with European neighbors by 2030, by then reusing 10% of wastewater.