A treated wastewater reuse plant for agricultural irrigation has been inaugurated at Argelès-sur-Mer in the Pyrénées-Orientales, southern France, in what the partners describe as the country’s largest scheme of its kind. The Community of Communes Albères-Côte Vermeille-Illibéris (CC ACVI) opened the facility on 20 June, with the system designed and built by water company Veolia.
The plant treats effluent from the area’s wastewater treatment works and redistributes it to about 60 local farmers for irrigation, particularly for vineyards and apricot orchards. It can recycle up to 1.3 million cubic metres of treated wastewater a year, equivalent to roughly a quarter of the community’s annual drinking-water withdrawals.
Responding to drought
The Pyrénées-Orientales has been heavily affected by drought and water scarcity in recent years. The scheme allows water that would otherwise be discharged to be used a second time, easing pressure on local resources during a period when demand peaks. The area is a popular summer destination, and the permanent population of 56,000 rises to around 200,000 in the holiday season.
How the scheme works
Water is pumped from the outlet of the wastewater treatment plant and redirected to the reuse unit, where it is pre-filtered to protect downstream equipment, including from algae that can develop in summer, before passing through ultrafiltration membranes. The facility uses about 13,300 square metres of membranes, roughly the area of two rugby pitches, within a 150-square-metre building. The water is then disinfected and stored before being distributed through a drip irrigation network covering just over 650 hectares.
According to Veolia, the treated water reaches “Category A” status, the most stringent level permitted under French reuse regulations, which governs how recycled water may be applied to crops. The scheme has been operating since April 2026.
Background
The project was awarded to Veolia through a competitive tender and forms part of the company’s “GreenUp” programme. Sandra Andreu, Veolia’s chief executive for water treatment and valorisation, said the facility showed that “every cubic meter of water is now used twice.” Grégory Marty, president of CC ACVI, said the project secured water access for a sector central to the region while preserving more than a million cubic metres of water a year.
Water reuse remains comparatively limited in France and across Europe, but interest is growing as utilities and farmers face tighter water availability. EU rules introduced minimum quality requirements for water reused in agricultural irrigation in 2023.
Frequently asked questions
What has opened at Argelès-sur-Mer?
A treated wastewater reuse plant for agricultural irrigation, built by Veolia for the Community of Communes Albères-Côte Vermeille-Illibéris and described as France’s largest scheme of its kind.
How much water will the scheme reuse?
Up to 1.3 million cubic metres of treated wastewater a year, equivalent to about a quarter of the community’s annual drinking-water withdrawals.
What is the recycled water used for?
Drip irrigation of around 650 hectares of farmland, particularly vineyards and apricot orchards, supplied to about 60 local farmers.
What treatment does the water receive?
Pre-filtration followed by ultrafiltration, then disinfection, producing “Category A” water, the most stringent level under French reuse regulations.
