PREVOIR: Maximizing the replacement of drinking-water networks
Presented by Lyonnaise des Eaux
CONTEXT
In connection with managing its drinking water supply service, a local authority needs to invest a major part of its budget in maintaining its network (replacing water mains and branches). For the Greater Bordeaux Area, for example, this expenditure item represents no less than 58% of the value of its concession contract. The impact of the selected investments on service quality is hard to predict. So the issues are both financial and technical in nature.
INNOVATION
The 'PREVOIR' procedure offers local authorities decision-making support tools for the replacement of drinking water networks. It calculates in advance the probable number of pipe bursts for an upcoming period. It also estimates the risks and evaluates the costs. Finally it allows a multiannual replacement plan to be worked out and the impact of various scenarios to be compared. With 'PREVOIR', a local authority can know the mediumand long-term consequences of decisions which it is considering.
RESULTS
The PREVOIR procedure was developed by Lyonnaise des Eaux’s Technical Resource Centre, the University of Bordeaux 2 and Cemagref. It was adopted by the Greater Bordeaux Area in 2005 and later by Créteil and Gennevilliers. This service offering - unique in France - has been incorporated into Lyonnaise des Eaux’s range of commercial services. In 2007, it will be offered in approximately 15 contracts. By allowing local authorities to estimate the consequences of their decisions, PREVOIR represents a real winner in their sustainable development strategy.
