To mark its 90th anniversary, the Saur group conducted a citizen consultation in collaboration with the organisation Make.org. This unprecedented initiative, in line with our raison d'être, mobilised thousands of participants across France to gather their ideas and proposals for concrete solutions to better manage and preserve this essential resource. Together, citizens and experts joined forces to build a future in which water regains its rightful place among our priorities.
Make.org is a neutral and independent organisation dedicated to citizen participation. Its mission is to mobilise civil society to drive positive change in the public interest. Using a mass consultation method, Make.org gathers the ideas most supported by citizens, enabling legitimate, shared collective action to be built.
Our raison d'être is based on a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation and social responsibility. By actively mobilising citizens to come up with concrete solutions for preserving water, this consultation fully embodies our collaborative and participative approach, in partnership with Make.org. It reflects our desire to generate a lasting positive impact on society, while affirming our role as a responsible and committed player in the management of natural resources.
Engaging all our stakeholders is at the heart of our CSR approach. With the citizen consultation, we have created a unique platform for dialogue between experts and citizens, the latter being the end users of our services. This initiative has enabled us to bring together technical knowledge and real-life experience, so that solutions can emerge that are tailored to the challenges of sustainable water management. By actively involving society, we are reaffirming our commitment to raising awareness, co-constructing and taking action to preserve this essential resource for future generations.
In September 2024, collaborative workshops were held to further develop the proposals that had been voted for online. They brought together citizens and experts to find practical solutions, adapted to both water issues and user needs. Participants explored ways of optimising the use of resources, improving existing systems and responding to immediate challenges. The discussions gave rise to concrete ideas for more sustainable water management that is accessible to all.
Soil permeability plays a key role in the sustainable management of water, allowing it to infiltrate naturally into groundwater. However, increasing urbanisation has led to soil sealing, limiting infiltration and increasing the risk of flooding, erosion and water stress. To meet these challenges, soil sealing is an effective solution: it restores the natural water cycle, mitigates climate impacts and promotes biodiversity.
Reusing treated wastewater is an essential solution for optimising the management of this precious resource while protecting the environment. It involves treating this water to make it suitable for specific uses, such as agricultural irrigation, industrial needs or cleaning in urban areas. This innovative approach reduces drinking water consumption, limits discharges into the natural environment and contributes to sustainable, circular water management, particularly in regions facing water stress.
Water desalination makes it possible to secure the water supply, particularly in regions affected by water stress. This method involves removing salt and impurities from seawater to make it drinkable. Despite promising prospects, this solution is controversial because of its energy consumption and potential impact on marine ecosystems. To address these issues, innovative technologies and sustainable practices are being implemented to reduce the environmental footprint of these facilities.
For a company committed to sustainable water management, involving the public is essential. Public consultation enables us to connect our expertise with the real needs and expectations of society. It also plays a key role in raising awareness of the crucial issues associated with water, from its preservation to its accessibility in terms of quantity and quality for all. By mobilising thousands of participants, we encourage collective reflection and identify concrete solutions, while reinforcing the legitimacy and impact of our actions. It's a way of acting in line with our raison d'être: to give water back the value it deserves.