Giving wastewater a second life
Last March, Emmanuel Macron unveiled a comprehensive plan comprising some 50 measures to promote water conservation. Against the backdrop of global warming, droughts are set to become more frequent and severe, depriving France of a significant portion of this essential resource. The effects of this water stress are already being felt: in the summer of 2022, for example, restrictions on agricultural irrigation led to estimated yield declines of between 10% and 40%.
Jennifer Gallé, The Conversation France; Elsa Couderc, The Conversation France and Julie Mendret, University of Montpellier
Check out the new podcast from The Conversation France: “L’échappée Sciences.” Twice a month, we explore a unique topic through an interview with a scientist and a feature by one of our journalists.
One of these measures concerns the reuse of treated wastewater, or REUT. In this area, France is a relative newcomer, with less than 1% of its water supply coming from this process. In Europe, Spain and Italy lead the way, with 14% and 8% of their water supply coming from REUT, respectively. The Spring 2023 Water Plan proposes to increase France’s share to 10% by 2030. An “ambitious goal,” notes Julie Mendret, PhD in Environmental Process Engineering and associate professor at the University of Montpellier, a guest on the latest episode of the podcast “L’échappée Sciences.”
What are the reasons for France’s lag behind? What steps are involved in transitioning from a wastewater treatment plant to a REUT? What is done with this treated wastewater? Julie Mendret provides valuable answers to all these questions.
This episode of “L’échappée Sciences” will explore how trees absorb water from the soil and distribute it throughout their entire structure to maintain hydration. These regulatory strategies serve as a source of inspiration for researchers and engineers, particularly in the development of filtration and desalination membranes.
We will also learn that a large portion of the water absorbed by trees is returned to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration. This “green” water is essential to the water cycle, yet it remains relatively poorly understood and is now a key area of study for hydrogeologists.
Concept and animation by Jennifer Gallé and Elsa Couderc. Directed by Romain Pollet. Theme music: “Chill Trap” by Aries Beats. Excerpts: TF1 news report from June 26, 2023, D. Sitbon, A. Cazabonne, A. Delabre; “The Trees They Do Grow High,” Joan Baez/1961/UMG (on behalf of EMI).
Jennifer Gallé, Environment + Energy Editor, The Conversation France; Elsa Couderc, Science + Technology Editor, The Conversation France and Julie Mendret, Associate Professor, HDR, University of Montpellier
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