Le rôle de la Société du Canal de Provence dans la gestion des ressources en eau de la région provençale

Abstract

Today, the Provencal Region has largely overcome the risk of water shortages. Indeed, 40 years ago all the parties affected by a policy of good management of the region water resources as part of the general interest decided to work together in order to institute original solutions. These have proved pertinent and effective. The creation of the reserves needed to guarantee the satisfaction of water requirements associated with the development of all sectors of activity (urban, industrial and agricultural) was allied to the construction of major hydroelectricproduction facilities. The regional and local authorities involved together decided to execute and manage the facilities for conveying these resources to the points of consumption. To satisfy this common aim, they created the Societe du Canal de Provence et d'Amenagement de la Region Provencale (SCP), a regional development company within the meaning of French rural legislation, an original structure in many respects, particularly in terms of its status and its mission. All the actions undertaken by SCP in the framework of its public service mission result from a coherent and concerted plicy founded on the common interest, fundamental principle of a transparent and quality public, service run to satisfy economic performance and efficiency criteria. The economic management of the water resource applied on the scale of the schemes designed, constructed and operated by SCP is the combination and the result of a series of technical, financial, economic and management arrangements. Amid all the interrogations, reflections and recommendations encountered on the lasting responsibility of users, deprivation of public services, etc. which are at the heart of current debates, SCP, after 40 years of managing a water resource to the satisfaction of multiple users, stands out as an original solution which contributes to the on-going process of reflection.