Water

We are all aware that water is part of our collective heritage and that preserving it is a major issue for the future.

This seems obvious when it is intended for use as drinking water, but here in Dunkerque we live on a river delta, l'Aa, a land gained by man over the sea and the tide ten centuries ago through draining and at the cost of a great deal of work, requiring constant attention: this is the reason why sustainable water management is a crucial issue.

On extremely flat land, the major concern lies in conciliating human, industrial and agricultural water consumption without deteriorating the environment. It is also important to survey the quality of water whether it is used for sailing or leisure activities (fishing, hunting, swimming...)

In conformity with the new Water Policy on Aquatic Ecosystems, all the actors in this field were consulted for a preliminary debate prior to the elaboration of the Aa Delta Water Planning and Management Scheme which includes a Project for the Sustainable Planning and Management of this natural resource, a set of regulations and a cartographic Atlas: these will be used as directives and will be opposable to third parties, upon public inspection.

Based on these general directives, local institutions aim to offer a high quality harmonized public service to citizens. Preserving this natural resource through dialogue with the farmers situated near the groundwater collection area and removing household lead piping before the end of 2013 are two improvements that will be carried out by the Dunkerque Water Supply Mixed Syndicate responsible for the local distribution of drinking water. The incentive to reduce global water consumption and the promotion of tap water as drinking water (while integrating it in a coherent waste reduction policy) are recurring concerns.

As for waste water treatment, the construction of a fourth waste water treatment plant in conformity with new European standards, on the Coudekerque Branche site, has made it possible to rid this urban site of pollution. The Public Service for Non Collective Waste Water Treatment has started listing all unconnected installations in order to meet the regulation deadline of 2012.

However, controlling the price of water remains a sensitive issue when it comes to integrating new environmental standards, especially in terms of waste water treatment.

This is why, the territory of Dunkerque must work on rainwater management. For example, rain water harvesting and recycling needs to be encouraged by financial incentives, because sustainable development and alternative techniques, in the widest sense, are an essential part of the Territorial Climate Policy and regarded as crucial challenges for the future.