Wastewater reuse for irrigation in France

In France the study of available pluviometric data shows that in some regions, where the need of water would not be satisfied, large hydraulic installations are existing (channels, dams, networks) that are limiting the consequences of this deficit. Therefore, France is not a country where direct reuse of wastewater for irrigation is a primary preoccupation of responsible authorities of water resource management. However, it is noteworthy that spreading wastewater on areas which may be suited for agricultural use, is in France a traditional practice within the bounds of sanitation and management. More recently there is also noted the enthusiasm for golf courses, big consumers of water in tourist areas particularly demanding in water resources during summer, as the development of big scale quasi-industrial cultures, for example those of maize very demanding in water quantity. The ministry of health, conscious of the public health problems, which possibly arise by wastewater reuse for irrigation, has published in 1991 guidelines, concerning this special field, developed by the Superior Council of Public Hygiene of France (C.S.H.P.F.). A major topic in these guidelines is to subordinate, case per case, every reuse to an administrative authority, previous appropriated to a strict control of the applied procedures. The objective of this present communication is to present, four years after their publication, a first assessment of this guideline application. In particular the following points result: a) spreading out wastewater stays in priority an alternative solution, as their reject in surface water is impossible; the objective in agriculture is in this case secondary. b) justified reuse by agricultural use is exceptional and never involve in practice cultures of products to be eaten uncooked. c) sprinkling golf courses have been object of relatively many cases; several quality control programs have been installed by the Ministry of Health and definite authorisations of use have been accorded.