“Drop Odyssey”: a serious game to understand the journey of water

[Press release] - Published on September 8, 2025 in Press Room, Science-Society

On Tuesday, September 23, the European Membrane Institute (IEM) at the University of Montpellier will host the official presentation of "Drop Odyssey," an educational game dedicated to the water cycle and its protection. Designed by Julie Mendret, a researcher at the University of Montpellier renowned for her work on water, this serious game aims to raise awareness among young and old alike of the crucial issues surrounding water resources, from its collection to its return to the natural environment. The event will be attended by Philippe Augé, President of the University of Montpellier, David Cornu, Director ofIEM, Lionel Torres, Director of Polytech Montpellier, and Grégory Vallée, Director of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole Water Authority.

An immersive and educational game

"Drop Odyssey" features Lézia, an explorer water droplet who guides players through the different stages of water treatment. In two fun modules lasting around 15 minutes each, the game allows players to discover:

• The water purification process: from water collection to treatment (clarification, disinfection, storage, distribution) to make it drinkable.
• The sanitation sector: the journey of water after domestic use until it is discharged into the natural environment or reused, passing through various treatment stages (primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary).

Accessible to all, this game combines scientific rigor with a playful approach to better understand the invisible journey that each drop of water takes before reaching the tap and after it has been used.

Understanding and taking action: water, a major issue for the University of Montpellier

Beyond its entertaining aspect, Drop Odyssey addresses a fundamental issue: raising awareness about water conservation and innovative solutions for a sustainable future. This serious game is part of a long tradition of excellence in water research at the University of Montpellier, driven by its internationally renowned institutes and laboratories, includingIEM EPUM (École Pratique des Hautes Études de l’Eau et de l’Environnement).

The educational objectives of the game are clear:

• Identify the different sources of water pollution.
• Discover how water is collected, treated, purified, and reused.
• Raise awareness about emerging pollutants (PFAS, pharmaceutical residues).
• Highlight the importance of reusing treated water (REUT) as part of a circular economy approach.

By placing research and education at the heart of this project, the University of Montpellier is affirming its central role in training and raising awareness of major environmental and societal issues.