IWRA Proceedings

AbstractConference talk Subject: Impacts of human societies Introduction Aqua 2020 is a deliberately political water resources management approach. It is unique in France and jointly led by the Regional Council and the five Departmental Councils of Languedoc- Roussillon (Aude, Gard, Hérault, Lozère and Pyrénées Orientales). Goal - to meet the water demand and to ensure that all the populations will all receive adequate water supplies in the fifteen years to come, - while preserving aquatic habitats as imposed by the European Water Framework Directive (EWFD). Methods Led by BRL [1], the approach took account of contributions from numerous partners, such as representatives of partner authorities, State authorities, the Water Agency, river basin user groups, Chambers of Agriculture and the main local stakeholders in charge of water and land-use management in the region. It was an opportunity to refine the data available on the evolution of the water demand in each area [2] ; an increasing demand for drinking water and an evolution in the demand from economic activities, especially agriculture. This information was then crossed with findings from the studies carried out under the EWFD on the condition of aquatic habitats; for each area, consideration of known problems and gaps to be overcome to achieve "good ecological condition" as required by the EWFD, resources that could be exploited to meet the new demands and the prospects of abstracting less water from sensitive aquatic habitats. Findings a) To prevent further degradation of aquatic habitats, habits must be changed; savings must be sought, less water abstracted from natural habitats… b) The growth of the drinking water demand due to population increase (+35 000 people per year for 15 years) could well exceed an additional 60 million m3 if present consumption habits are maintained. c) The slowdown in irrigation water consumption could alleviate pressure on water resources by some 40 million m3 per year. The main possible solutions a) Improved network efficiency: 85 million m3 per year b) Identification of options for equipment in each area to enable the demand to be met c) The Regional Council and the five Departmental Councils are now a t the stage of approving "sustainable water resource management charter" Conclusion The strategy resulting from the Aqua 2020 approach stems from eight general guidelines for the region as a whole: encourage comprehensive approaches that cover all water uses and facilitate solidarity between the different areas, promote water savings, optimize the current management of the water abstracted, protect and secure water supplies, assess the rating of management and investment options against sustainable development criteria and seek permanent finance… [1] Compagnie Nationale d’Aménagement de la Région du Bas Rhône et du Languedoc The Languedoc Roussillon region was divided into 9 areas: - the Roussillon plain, the Orb- Hérault- Astien- Aude coastal area complex, the Lauragais- Limouxin- Chalabrais area, the region of Montpellier, all the upland districts (Lodève, the top of the Têt river basin, the Tech, the Agly, the Orb, the Hérault, and the Vidourle river basins and the middle Aude Valley), the zone known as the "Vidourle, Southern Gard and Rhône" (Nîmes and its suburbs + the Southern Nîmes area), the Gardons Rivers zone, the Cèze river zone and Lozère.