EIB finances Euro 76 mn for SIAH's "new generation" wastewater treatment plant in France

The performance of the future wastewater treatment plant will cover the needs of a growing population of up to 500,000 inhabitants

The European Investment Bank has announced its first direct financing dedicated to the water sector under the Juncker Plan in France.

Ambroise Fayolle, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) which is the bank of the European Union and Guy Messager, President of the Mixed Syndicate for Hydraulic Development (SIAH) of Croult and Petit Rosne, have announced the signing of a Euro 76 million financing contract dedicated to the construction of the new "new generation" wastewater treatment plant in Bonneuil, France, in the Val d'Oise, France.

The performance of the future wastewater treatment plant will cover the needs of a growing population of up to 500,000 inhabitants, while fully integrating into the circular economy by recovering biogas produced from treatment residues. water and recycling of all residual sludge through a composting system.

According to the commission, this is a major financing with high economic and environmental impact, attributed to a French mixed syndicate specialized in water treatment for the first time under the investment plan for Europe called Plan Juncker. The excellent rating (triple A) of the EIB and the European guarantee allow the SIAH to benefit from attractive financial conditions adapted to this type of project including a long maturity of financing (28 years).

This European funding will very concretely provide the territory with a so-called "new generation" wastewater treatment plant based on the concept of the circular economy, with a reduction in the overall energy balance and the creation of additional income. The water treatment residues will thus make it possible to produce biogas, which itself will be recovered via its injection into the municipal gas network. Residual sludge will be recycled in its entirety through a composting system.

The future wastewater treatment plant in Bonneuil, France, will be able to increase its treatment capacity to 500,000 population equivalents (compared to 300,000 population equivalents with the current station) while ensuring the respect of discharge standards. The future station will thus meet the growing needs of the connected population and the industrial and commercial development projects of the department such as the Paris airport - the Triangle of Gonesse and the eco-district of Louvres-Puiseux.

"This innovative wastewater treatment project is remarkable for more than one reason: improving water quality, producing less sewage sludge and using it to produce energy. This is a concrete example of the concept of a circular economy serving the environment and citizens. It is also the demonstration of the local and concrete action of the European Fund for Strategic Investments, launched jointly by the EIB and the European Commission. " said Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in the European Commission.

"This is a project with a high environmental impact for the territory and its inhabitants. This is also the first French project financed by the EIB in this sector under the Juncker plan, commented Ambroise Fayolle,Vice President of the EIB. "By financing the establishment of innovative structures focused on the circular economy, we support the sustainable development of a territory. We create jobs. We guarantee better access to water resources while ensuring a reliable supply in line with our priority action for the environment. And to conclude "The Juncker Plan continues to develop successfully in France with 120 approved operations to date for a total amount of Euro 9.3 billion in financing, which is expected to mobilize Euro 42.3 billion of additional investments."

"This is a key funding for the SIAH, "said Guy Messager, President of SIAH. It will increase the treatment capacity of our depollution station and adapt it to the immediate and future challenges of eastern Val d'Oise. But it is also for us the opportunity to evolve our station towards an eco-responsible management model, a model that the SIAH is developing in all its activities. EIB financing supports SIAH in its strategic choices for the common interest. Let us not forget that all our actions converge towards an essential objective, instituted by the Water Framework Directive, I want to talk about the return to the good ecological status of rivers."

The Bank of the European Union acts very concretely by financing projects contributing to economic and sustainable development while having a direct impact on the daily life of the inhabitants. In the water and sanitation sector, the EIB has earmarked Euro 1.6 billion for this environmental priority since 2008 in France, in support of development and modernization projects, stations or systems in the heart of cities, metropolises and French territories.

"I am very proud of the signing of this first project financed by the EIB via the Junker Plan in the Val d'Oise, it is a large project with a high environmental impact. The Region must play a facilitating role to enable grassroots actors: local authorities, companies, trade unions to develop and access European funding including those supported by the EIB, "said Stéphanie Von Euw, Vice President for European Affairs to the Île-de-France Region."