On April 29, 2025, the partners of the Smart Green Water project, part of the Interreg Sudoe program, gathered in Bordeaux to review the project’s progress, administrative follow-ups, and the preparation of upcoming pilot actions and demonstration days. Beyond operational and strategic matters, one of the highlights of the meeting was the presentation by Laurent Fombeur (Regional Chamber of Agriculture of Nouvelle-Aquitaine) and Thomas Larrieu (Chamber of Agriculture of Gironde), which focused on the French model of water management — an experience rich with valuable lessons for all project regions.
💧 Water Management in France: Framework and Structure
France has a multi-level, structured water management system:
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At the European level, the 2000/60/EC Water Framework Directive defines environmental objectives.
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At the national level, France’s 2006 Water Law establishes national principles.
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Locally, regulations, decrees, and prefectoral orders set rules and restrictions tailored to each river basin.
The country is organized around major watersheds managed by Water Agencies, which develop the SDAGE (Master Plans for Water Development and Management) and SAGE (Local Water Management Plans) to guarantee the good ecological status of water bodies.
📊 Irrigation: Key Data and Resources
Agricultural irrigation accounts for approximately 11% of water use in France, compared to 45% for power plant cooling, 19% for drinking water supply, and 8% for industry. The Adour-Garonne basin is particularly representative:
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21,000 irrigated farms
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600,000 hectares of irrigated land
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1.2 billion m³ of water authorized annually
Water resources come from:
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Non-replenished watercourses, vulnerable to summer restrictions.
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Replenished rivers, more secure and less prone to restrictions.
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Accompanying aquifers and deep groundwater, subject to specific regulations.
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Reservoirs and ponds, which allow water to be stored in winter for summer use — though this is costly (between €5 and €10 per m³ stored).
⚙️ Procedures and Demand Management
The French system involves mandatory water withdrawal authorizations (required from 1,000 m³/year upwards), with a controlled distribution of the available volumes. Volumetric meters are installed at each withdrawal point, and restrictions are adapted according to hydrological conditions and water level monitoring.
🌱 OGAYA: Innovation and Support for Irrigators
As part of this system, the Regional Chamber of Agriculture of Nouvelle-Aquitaine also presented the OGAYA network, a collective of technical advisors focused on optimizing irrigation practices. This network operates through:
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376 reference plots
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A network of pilot farms showcasing best practices
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Weekly irrigation bulletins in summer and occasional updates in winter
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Awareness videos aimed at farmers and irrigators
This collaborative approach helps to enhance technical skills, encourage knowledge sharing, and generate new projects to benefit water users.
🍃 Visit to Planète Végétal
To conclude the day, the Smart Green Water project partners visited Planète Végétal, a leading vegetable production company in Nouvelle-Aquitaine renowned for its responsible practices, digital innovations, and efficient water management on its farms. Discover more about them at https://planetevegetal.com/
An inspiring, hands-on visit that illustrated practical examples of modern, sustainable water management in a professional agricultural setting.
