2024-02-07 10:30:24
Beyond a simple sporting event, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are a real laboratory for sustainable development. The Olympic Village, in particular, is an open-air demonstrator of the eco-responsible city of tomorrow. Among the numerous experiments carried out with the aim of “environmental excellence”, there are in particular three innovative projects around the recycling of wastewater.
These projects are all the more remarkable as they are being implemented while the regulations concerning the reuse of wastewater (REUT) are currently in full transition. Their interest is therefore all the stronger as they go beyond the uses authorized so far by legislation!
The most ambitious: a “cycle” building that reprocesses wastewater
This building with a mixed wood and concrete structure, is a pioneering project on a global scale. This will be used to demonstrate the ability to reuse and recycle waste, separated into four streams:
- gray water (showers, sinks, washbasins);
- biowaste;
- the urines ;
- fecal matter.
The idea of this “cycle” building was proposed by the environmental design office Oasiis, with the support of Icade and CDC Habitat[1]as part of the call for tenders launched by Solideo[2]. The entire wastewater recycling and treatment part was entrusted to Nereus, a specialist in water filtration and treatment.
Concerning black water, following separating the excrement by centrifugation, the urine will first be stored in tanks, then entrusted to Toopi Organics, a biotechnology company, with a view to its use in agriculture. The excrement can then be recycled into compost, in the same way as bio-waste.
For gray water coming from showers and sinks, it is planned that it will be treated then reinjected into a network supplying toilet flushes and washing machines (depending on changes in legislation). They can also be used for cleaning common areas.
The building will be rehabilitated following the Olympics and will accommodate 26 rental housing units.
A rescue center that treats gray water by phytopurification
Although it is the most ambitious, the “cycle” building is not the only REUT project in progress. It is also planned that the water from the future emergency center built on the banks of the Seine will be reprocessed by phytopurification, thanks to the greening of the 300 m² of roof terrace, according to a three-step process:
- pretreatment of Suspended Solids (MES);
- filtration by phytopurification in filter beds;
- disinfection by coil and zeolite microfiltration.
Les 3.5 m3 of water thus reprocessed each day will be used to irrigate green spaces, supply toilets and possibly clean exterior floors. After the games, the rescue center will be occupied exclusively by firefighters.
Green Bow project: drawing wastewater from the sewers for watering green spaces
Finally, the Green Bow project is an innovative solution proposed by Nereus[3]. This involves pumping wastewater into the underground network of the Athletes’ Village to send it to the Nereus treatment plant.
The filtered water will then be stored in tanks and will be used to water half a hectare of green spaces, particularly with the aim of creating islands of freshness.
Actions that go beyond what the legislation authorizes!
It’s a fact: compared to other European countries, France is far behind in the reuse of wastewater, with only 1% of water currently reused, compared to 15% in Italy and 20% in Spain. In Israel, 90% of wastewater is reused!
Why such a situation ? Partly for cultural reasons. On the one hand, we have considered water for too long as an “infinite” resource. On the other hand, this delay is linked to overly strict regulations which authorize few uses for REUT water, mainly for health reasons.
In an articleFlorence Chahid-Nourai, major projects director at Icade, stated in 2022: “We want to go further than health legislation, we are currently in discussions with the State to obtain authorization for the implementation of these solutions. »
REUT regulations in full transformation
Since 2022, things have fortunately evolved. To start, a European regulations entered into force on June 26, 2023.
Then, in order to catch up in the field and in the context of the Water plan, France recently began a transformation of the rules regarding REUT. The stated goal is clear: reach 10% of REUT by 2030.
On August 30, 2023, a first decree was thus signed in order to simplify REUT procedures for non-domestic uses.
In December, several, new decrees and orders have also been published:
- Agricultural irrigation: Order of December 14, 2023.
- Watering of green spaces: Order of December 18, 2023.
- Use of water unfit for human consumption (EICH) for domestic uses: decree of December 19, 2023
The latest decree was published on January 24, 2024. It concerns water reused in companies in the food sector. In particular, it addresses various provisions relating to the health safety of water intended for human consumption.
Finally, a next decree is expected later this year concerning urban uses.
[1] The real estate operators in charge of the construction of Lot D of the Athletes’ village
[2] The Olympic works delivery company
[3] With F-Reg, Qista and La Compagnie du Paysage
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