Global expertise at the service of bathing water quality
With the increase in coastal activities, notably tourism-related, the issue of bathing water quality has become even more relevant. Adopted on 15 February 2006, the new European directive introduces the principles of anticipation and reactivity, and does away with observation. To meet this challenge, Lyonnaise des Eaux, with the support of its Coastline Technical Centre, has developed the “bathing water” system, which is implemented in three phases :
- Before the summer system, a beach monitoring and pre-diagnostic system.
- During the season, the implementation of regular bulletins and analyses affording reactivity in the event of localised pollution. The Rapid Enzymatic Method (MER®), based on molecular biology techniques, provides analysis results in one hour. This is completed by the “Aquaspot®” information service, which gives municipalities the opportunity to inform the population of bathing water quality within very short time periods.
- After the season, an in-depth data analysis to learn from the experience and improve the monitoring protocol.
This expertise provides local municipalities with a bathing water quality tool and has already been deployed on a number of French beaches such as Biarritz, Etretat, Agde and Cannes. The “bathing water” system reflects SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT’s desire to provide its customers with ever more innovative solutions promoting durable coastline protection.
