Veolia Water
Improving the water management model in a context of reducing volumes and with a view towards protection and diversification of resources.
Integrating sustainable development into the business model
The economic model for water services has been built up based on a virtuous circle by which increases in volumes sold facilitated the development of access to water, improvements to sanitation parameters, financing of the pipe systems maintenance, the protection of resources and depreciation of infrastructure costs.
This virtuous circle did lead to a high service quality, but now needs to be adapted to include new constraints.
78 million people supplied with water service by Veolia Water
The need to reduce consumption, to limit pressure on local resources actually leads to a reduction in unit consumption, causes changes to the economic balance of the activity. Therefore, Veolia Water is orienting its action such that remuneration for the water service is based more on an evaluation of the service quality, rather than volumes consumed.
54 million people supplied with wastewater service by Veolia Water
The water service also needs to address more social concerns than it did in the past, since they were usually managed by external philantropic organizations; for example, application of the "right to water", assistance to vulnerable customers. New solutions are being developed to balance the water service, whilst providing solutions to the needs of all users, including those with the greatest needs.
From management of the water service to resource conservation
Preservation of the resource, health and safety, service continuity and adaptation of prices to meet social objectives are all qualitative criteria that represent an increasing percentage of remuneration for the water service. This is why Veolia Water is developing a range of services beyond its traditional activity of producing and distributing drinking water and providing sanitation.
These new uses and services could form the basis for new remuneration structures to balance costs and to make the interest of public authorities, consumers and operators more aligned.
maps: 1 & 2
New resources
Veolia Water satisfies the problems of qualitative and quantitative pressures on the water resource by extending its sphere of influence from the "small water cycle" to the "large water cycle" through several types of approaches:
- actions towards resource conservation and the fight against pollution;
- increased awareness of new usages;
- promotion of alternative resources.
Efforts can also be made to reduce waste and improve recycling of treated wastewater for certain uses (e.g. industrial, agricultural or recreational). Recycling provides a means of maximizing the use of water before releasing it into nature.
Desalination of seawater is possible in regions close to the coast, where fresh water resources are insufficient.
Veolia Water is developing high performance technological solutions in this field to reduce energy consumption, costs, and the environmental impact.
Developp new partnerships
In order for water management to enable access to water or for protection of water resources, a large number of bodies knowledge and roles need to be organized in a complementary manner. Veolia Water is working towards improving the efficiency of its service by strengthening its communication with civil society. In emerging countries, public-private partnerships may be complemented by partnerships with local associations and organizations, so as to implement development and environmental protection actions.
Rethinking the place of water in cities
The development of infrastructure designed to evacuate rainwater, to restore water courses and planted canals in cities, is one way of reconciling the storage of rainwater and limiting risks of flooding, at the same time as developing leisure spaces. The arrangement of recreation areas around water contributes to making cities welcoming and more attractive.
Water thus becomes a means or reintegrating the natural environment and biodiversity into the urban area.
This aspect is taken into account in changes to water services managed by Veolia Water.
Veolia Water's development model is now changing. This will only be possible if a number of changes are made outside the company, particularly in the regulations that control the role and scope for maneuver of the operator.
Degree of commitment of Veolia Environnement
