Thursday, July 17, 2025
The Albères-Côte Vermeille-Illibéris Community of Municipalities (CCACVI) and Veolia broke ground on an ambitious treated wastewater reuse program. Located in Argelès-sur-Mer, one of France’s premier beach destinations, this strategic facility will enable the reuse of 1.3 million cubic meters of treated wastewater annually — equivalent to five months of the area’s potable water consumption.
As the first recipient of France’s hydraulic fund, this major project, set to come online in April 2026, addresses mounting water resource pressures that have been intensifying in the Eastern Pyrenees since May 2022.
To deliver this project, the local authority has partnered with Veolia, the global leader in water technologies. Veolia will deploy an innovative membrane ultrafiltration solution to achieve Category A water quality, the highest standard under French regulations. The recycled water will supply drip irrigation across nearly 700 hectares of farmland, primarily fruit orchards, preserving groundwater and drinking water supplies.
This project, currently the largest of its kind planned in France, marks a decisive step in managing competing demands for water between agriculture, residential use and tourism during peak summer months. It demonstrates how communities can adapt to climate change through more circular and resilient water management.
“This flagship project perfectly illustrates our ability to support local authorities in their ecological transformation through innovative and sustainable solutions. This is the essence of our GreenUp strategic plan: harnessing innovation to fight climate change by depolluting and reusing resources, thus preserving precious freshwater sources. Thanks to our unique technological expertise, we are now able to help communities move towards more resilient water resource management,” stated Sandra Andreu, CEO of Veolia’s municipal water technologies activities in France.
“Wastewater reuse represents a concrete and ambitious response to the drought affecting our region. This project is essential for preserving our water resources and securing the future of agriculture in our territory. To meet these challenges, we have chosen the best. All project partners are fully aligned with this dynamic approach combining environmental and technological ambition,” stated Antoine Parra, President of the Albères-Côte Vermeille-Illibéris Community of Municipalities.
This groundbreaking initiative opens new possibilities for communities facing water scarcity. Reusing treated wastewater offers a practical solution for resource conservation while supporting local agriculture — a model that could be replicated across many other regions.
