Water cycle management

Water is a precious natural resource

Whether it is present in the oceans, rivers, clouds or glaciers, the amount of water on the planet is fixed and will never change. What does change is its condition, its geographical distribution and its quality. In other words: its availability to us humans.

With the world's population set to grow to almost 10 billion by 2040, the need for water is increasing considerably, both for drinking water and for industrial use. We already know that by 2025, more than 1.8 billion people will be living in conditions of absolute water stress and more than two thirds of the world's population will be experiencing water-related difficulties.

Added to the problem of access is the issue of water pollution. According to the UN, more than 80% of the world's wastewater is discharged into waterways without any form of treatment. Not only does this prevent its reuse, it also pollutes the natural environment and makes access to quality water even more complex.

We are involved throughout the water cycle

It all starts with pumping water. This is done either from groundwater, a lake, a river or a stream. 

To become drinkable, the water we take is then treated. It is filtered, screened, undergoes polishing treatment with activated carbon, disinfected with ozone or UV, etc.

Then it is time to distribute the water to our customers and individuals. From production to tap, it passes through a complex system of pipes. 

Finally, once used, the water can be returned to nature or reused. We pass it through a wastewater treatment plant where it is extensively treated and cleaned. This produces sludge with a high nitrogen and phosphorus content, which can be reused as fertilizer or as a source of energy