Innovative Case of Natural Purification System in France - March 2004

Innovative Case of Natural Purification System in France - March 2004

In the Brittany region of France, a natural purification system has been adopted for sewage treatment in small communities. Specifically, in the village of Saint-Bruges, residents have implemented a purification system using ponds and sand, enabling low-cost water treatment without relying on chemicals. The system uses microorganisms attached to plant roots to naturally decompose ammonia and phosphate, while the sand layers physically filter out organic matter and suspended solids.

This system processes 500 cubic meters of sewage per day and reduces energy consumption by 80% compared to conventional systems. This initiative is being carried out with the support of the French water treatment company "Veolia."

Veolia, based in France, is one of the world's largest environmental services companies, offering a wide range of services in water, waste management, and energy management. With approximately 220,000 employees operating worldwide, Veolia is known for its leadership in sustainable urban development and ecological resource management. The company manages water services and sewage treatment infrastructure in various regions, and its natural purification systems are highly regarded for improving water quality sustainably without the use of chemicals.

This system has been adopted in over 20 municipalities across France, reducing annual phosphate emissions by more than 1 ton while complying with the European Union (EU) water quality standards. This innovative approach in France has the potential to expand to other European countries and developing nations.