The return of Paris's water supply to municipal control, announced during the election campaign, was approved at the council meeting on 24 and 25 November. 'The creation of a public water service in Paris is an emblematic political decision,' says Anne Le Strat, the current chief executive of Eau de Paris. At present, water is distributed by Lyonnaise des Eaux on the left bank, and the Compagnie des Eaux de Paris on the right bank, while a separate company in which local authorities are the principal shareholders is responsible for water supply.
The fact that the contracts for public water supply were due to end in 2009 and 2011 was an opportunity too good to miss. 'The current system does not allow maximum efficiency, nor is it possible to monitor or manage it effectively,' says Ms Le Strat. The city expects to save at least 30 million euros. The new corporation, which will retain the name Eau de Paris, will take over some of the staff of the water distribution companies, and intends to set up a municipal laboratory for monitoring water quality, run by the CRECEP (Research, Expertise, and Monitoring Centre for Eau de Paris).
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