Wastewater from Castelroussins filtered using plants. A vegetated discharge zone has just been put into service at the beginning of July to complete the work of the Bourrie wastewater treatment plant in Châteauroux. An unprecedented experiment in the Center Val de Loire which highlights natural processes to combat micro and macro pollutants.
Plants to depollute and enrich water
Stéphane Paquet, deputy director of Suez for the Center Val de Loire region, orchestrated this project. “The principle of the basin, on the treatment part, is to improve the quality of the water that comes out of the treatment plant”, he explains. Although the station complies with the standards of the discharge decree, the water that comes out of it does not have the same temperature or the same biochemical balance as the Indre River. With this area, the water passes through different basins and regains, through natural processes, its properties.
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Three hectares of wasteland have been completely redeveloped with the help of the metropolis of Châteauroux. A wetland has therefore been recreated with the planting of various local or indigenous species : willows, reeds, helophytes, which will participate in the purification of water. Each, thanks to its properties, makes water more expensive and cleans it up.
– Manon Derdevet
An area to allow biodiversity to regenerate
In total, between 5% and 10% of wastewater treated by the treatment plant pass through this vegetated area. A new space which also makes it possible to regenerate biodiversity according to Stéphane Paquet. “A species of dragonfly that had not been seen for ten years was found here. We also observe birds that come to nest and feed, so we have good hope for the development of diversity for the next few years. “assures the deputy director of Suez for the Center Val de Loire region.
– Manon Derdevet
This experimental area is being studied by scientists in an attempt to improve wastewater treatment even further in the years to come. This experiment could be extended to all or part of the volumes of the treatment planton the adjoining meadows.
An educational project has also been initiated with the Center for Higher Education in Châteauroux. Four students want to set up educational paths to discover this area, in connection with the “green corridor” project linking Saint-Maur to Châteauroux.