Public policy-based support

The REVERSAAL unit undertakes initiatives in support of public policy goals in conjunction with various actors at the international, national and regional levels. These activities are aimed at accompanying actors coping with issues related to urban water management at the overall sanitation system scale as well as for individual treatment plants and specific water reuse options. Such activities are multifaceted, e.g. selection of appropriate sanitation scenarios, treatment protocols, plant compliance, process optimization according to either performance or energy consumption, even extending to knowledge transfer. The unit also participates in drawing up directives and European standards. These actions play out in various contexts:

• A partnership agreement with the Ministry of Ecological Transition for ensuring the compliance of wastewater treatment plants, accompaniment protocol in connection with revisions to the European directive on “Urban Wastewater” and technical support provided to governmental bodies
• Coordination of the EPNAC national working group (www.epnac.fr) on managing urban waters in small and medium-sized municipalities
• Participation in the work of European and international standardization groups
• Actions dedicated to assisting France’s overseas territories, backed by the Office of Biodiversity
• Bilateral endeavors alongside local agencies and authorities (Water Agencies, Metropolitan Councils, etc.).

These actions in support of public policy draw on the unit’s scientific and technical knowledge, and moreover stimulate research investigations. They may be consolidated through the use of tools and models developed specifically for the purpose (links to web pages hosting appropriate energy tools, Plante Défi, Orage, and others to come).