Considérations générales sur la politique de l'eau au XXI^e siècle

General considerations on the water policy in the 21° century

Adjoint au délégué régional Ile-de-France, Electriciré de France, Gaz de France

Abstract

Based on our experience and the numerous problems we face, the water policies must take into account the qualitative and quantitative aspects of this natural ressource. The qualitative aspect concerns not only the Third World countries with health problems but also the Western countries where industry endanger water quality. The quantitative aspect is also very important because of the natural disparities of distribution and of the phenomena such as deforestation and the greenhouse effect. Decisions must be rapidly taken but nothing will be done if we do not change our relarionship with the environment.