Providing the French with water is becoming more and more expensive and other funding must be found. A study carried out by the Cercle de l’eau association, with Amorce (the national network of local authorities engaged in the ecological transition), Intercommunalités de France and the Association of elected basin officials (ANEB) alerts public authorities to a a particularly worrying figure: 13 billion euros per year are missing for the complete water cycle. “We wanted to start thinking about climate change (…) because our country needs to find a common sense around water” said Thierry Burlot, president of the water circle, during the presentation of the study to the press, Wednesday, November 20, at the Salon des Maires.
“Great cycle” of water
This study takes into account not only the “small cycle” of water (drinking water supply, wastewater treatment, infrastructure and distribution), but also the “large cycle” of water (sharing and protection of water and aquatic environments, flood prevention). Total expenditure today amounts to 23.4 billion euros per year (average over the period 2013-2022), or 0.84% of French GDP, within UN standards which recommends devote between 0.5 and 1.2% of GDP. 13 billion more should be allocated.
“More needs to be done, not all costs are covered by fundingworries Maria Salvetti, independent economist who led the study. Starting with the environmental costs which amount to 5 billion euros and correspond to the measures to be put in place to depollute and restore water bodies to reach their good condition. The annual investment deficit for water and sanitation infrastructure reaches 4.6 billion euros per year, not including PFAS, the cost of which is estimated by Amorce between 0.5 and 1 billion euros per year. . Finally, we must also take into account the costs of risks linked to drought and floods, that is to say anticipate insurance costs which reach 3 billion euros.
“We have moved from financing the “small cycle” to the “large cycle” of watersummarizes Thierry Burlot. We need to keep the water model in France, but we will have to change the financing rules. We must work on finding sustainable funding and anticipate to avoid disasters. We must carry out a life project together and stop thinking that the environment is a constraint. »
The price of water will increase
“Most major polluters do not participate in financingdenounces Nicolas Garnier, general delegate of Amorce. It’s the households that pay.” In fact, households bear 53% of the contributions on the 23.4 billion euros of annual expenditure, compared to 9% for agriculture and 23% for manufacturers. “The price of water will necessarily increase” says Célia de Lavergne, former Renaissance MP and Director of Water and Biodiversity at the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
The study therefore recommends rethinking the financing model by integrating a new balance between tariffs, royalties and taxation, and resorting to borrowing to meet urgent needs. It calls for increased investments in the “great cycle” of water to restore aquatic environments, strengthen quantitative management and prevent flooding. Finally, it calls for strengthening the role of Water agencies. Will the government appreciate the challenge that awaits us? Prime Minister Michel Barnier has promised a conference on water.
Source: www.usinenouvelle.com
