Saur group wins contract to modernize and operate-maintain the Wattrelos wastewater treatment plant
The Saur group is proud to announce that its subsidiaries Saur France (lead contractor) and Stereau have been selected by the Lille European Metropolis (MEL) to carry out the extension-construction and operation-maintenance project for the Wattrelos wastewater treatment plant. Carried out as part of a consortium*, this project is one of the largest wastewater treatment plant modernization projects in France over the next decade.
The aim is to modernize the Wattrelos wastewater treatment plant to increase its capacity and improve the management of rainwater pollution, in response to the growing needs of the MEL. By combining effective treatment of rainfall, optimization of wastewater treatment and production of renewable, local energy, the new Wattrelos wastewater treatment plant will embody a model of environmental excellence.
The contract covers the extension and modernization of the plant at a cost of 200 million euros, as well as its operation by Saur France for a 12-year period, at a cost of 93 million euros.
A showcase for the expertise of the members of the consortium, the future facility has been designed to blend harmoniously into its environment, with no impact on biodiversity or nuisance for local residents.
A major project to increase and modernize treatment capacity
The project to extend and rebuild the Wattrelos wastewater treatment plant will significantly increase the capacity of the existing plant, which was commissioned in 1986 and renovated in the early 2000s. Today, it treats the wastewater of 417,000 population equivalents from 15 municipalities in the Lille European Metropolis and the municipality of Mouscron in Belgium.
On completion of the modernization project in 2031, the plant's capacity will be increased by more than 20% to 511,500 population equivalents.
This simple, high-performance project is based on innovative technologies. Its evolutionary design anticipates the site's future needs, to comply with future regulations and integrate new solutions, such as micropollutant treatment or the reuse of treated wastewater.
A new plant that generates energy and respects the environment
The future Wattrelos wastewater treatment plant will embody a model of energy performance, contributing to the decarbonization of the region. It will produce more energy than it consumes.
It will be equipped with high-efficiency, energy-saving equipment. Among these installations, 6,000 m² of photovoltaic panels and several hydroelectric turbines will cover more than 10% of the resort's electricity needs. The remainder of the plant's electricity needs will be met by a green energy purchasing contract and the recovery of waste heat from the equipment. In addition, biomethane will be produced from the sludge generated by the treatment process, equivalent to the annual gas consumption of 2,800 residents, and the dried sludge will be used to heat 1,500 homes.
Operation to the highest standards
Operation of the Wattrelos wastewater treatment plant is based on strong commitments in terms of performance, respect for the environment and the well-being of local residents. The plant's long-term viability will be guaranteed by ISO 55 001 certification, which provides a framework for sustainable, optimized asset management, reinforcing the longevity and value of this essential infrastructure.
Estelle Grelier, President of Saur France: “This large-scale project is in line with the Saur Group's strategy, which places water transition at the heart of its development. As a driver of local sustainable ecology, the future facility will represent a strategic asset for the region, leaving a solid legacy for future generations. By becoming a net energy producer, it will embody an inspiring model of resilience, combining innovative technologies and scalable design to meet the most demanding standards. Its thrifty, secure and forward-looking management will contribute fully to the quality of life and sustainable balance of the region”.
Hugo Bardi, Chairman of Stereau: “With this new extension-reconstruction project, Stereau confirms its expertise and ability to design and build major structures. Once again, Stereau has demonstrated its ability to meet complex environmental challenges by providing simple, high-performance, scalable solutions. Designed to become a model of environmental performance, the site will combine optimal wastewater treatment with the production of green, local energy, meeting the challenges of the coming years in terms of resource conservation, the circular economy and decarbonization”.
Jean Bernadet, Chairman of NGE: “This project is fully in line with the NGE Group's strategic roadmap, which places the challenges of ecological transition at the heart of its development. By participating in the extension of the Wattrelos wastewater treatment plant, we will be putting our industrial engineering expertise to work for the local community. We are responding to a vital need, strengthening local water treatment capacities and supporting the preservation of natural resources. This infrastructure will make a lasting contribution to the well-being of local residents, and is in line with our commitment to support local authorities like the Lille European Metropolis (MEL) in building environmentally-friendly infrastructures that will benefit future generations.”
Emmanuel Cornut, ARTELIA Villes & Territoires Ile de France Nord Regional Director: “The Wattrelos wastewater treatment plant will be a showcase for environmental performance, energy efficiency and integration into the local ecosystem, and will represent the fruit of the work of a consortium in which ARTELIA, which has been active locally within the Lille European Metropolis (MEL) for almost 20 years, is the project's prime contractor and conductor. In addition to managing the execution of the future works, ARTELIA will be contributing its multidisciplinary expertise and know-how, in particular through its BIM Management mission and the creation, in its hydraulics laboratory, of a physical model of the future effluent inflow, which will complement the 1D and 3D digital models, thus contributing to the design and construction of a high-performance, proven and scalable facility”.
HB Architectes Associés: “Attached to a functional and ergonomic solution dictated by the industrial process, the architecture of the future facility expresses the program it houses. Through a sustainable development approach and with a view to good environmental integration, it is the link between technology and the nature it helps to protect”.
*Consortium:
Agent and operator: Saur France
Wastewater treatment: Stereau
Civil engineering: NGE GC (GC consortium leader) and Demathieu Bard
Architects: HB Architectes associés (lead architects) and Atelier 9.81
Project management: ARTELIA