Sustainable Management Principles of French Hydro-Agricultural Schemes: Fid-Bau Portal

Sustainable Management Principles of French Hydro-Agricultural Schemes

Plantey, J.

Abstract Everyone in France, whether user, manager, or local authority, is aware of the common heritage of water, which implies management of the assets in the general interest. This management engages the responsibilities of all the participants, and relies on the golden rules of public service – continuity, equity, transparency – to guarantee the required level of service at the least cost. Because of its enduring importance, water use cannot be regulated only on the basis of short-term market forces. Generally, the facilities belong to a public authority, either a Water User Association (with public status) or a Regional Development Agency concession awarded by the local authorities. These service-providers develop very long-term management strategies to ensure financial autonomy and sustainable quality of service. The efforts that have been made to ensure effective accounting mechanisms and to obtain objective data on the real condition of their systems have proved to be very effective in optimizing the management organisation, particularly in terms of maintenance, modernisation and renewal policy.