La protection des ressources en eau minérale : éléments de réflexion

The protection of mineral water resources: some considerations

BRGM, Département Utilisation et Protection de l'espace géologique, Centre thématique eau minérale

Abstract

The question of protecting mineral water resources is now under active discussion, with a view to changing the specific regulations applying to this type of water. In fact, although current regulations do provide for the possibility of establishing protective boundaries around mineral water springs, these measures, for partly historical reasons, are sometimes unable effectively to protect the quality of the water.

If protection is to be effective, it should no longer take into account the concept of a spring, but that of a reservoir, with all its complexity and diversity; it should also combine administrative measures - such as the control of surface activities - with others of a technical nature, such as adapting abstraction works to the geological features of each site.

The idea has also been put forward that in certain particular cases "natural hydrogeological parks" should be established, the aim being the long-term protection of certain mineral water resources having a particularly strong heritage value, by protecting the resource from any polluting activity. An attempt is made to evaluate the cost of such protection.