The construction site for the Haliotis 2 wastewater treatment plant has officially begun. A project estimated at 700 million euros that aims to address climate, energy, and environmental challenges.
This Wednesday, May 14, the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis officially launched the construction of the future Haliotis 2 wastewater treatment plant with the laying of the foundation stone. This new facility, which will replace the current plant in operation since the 1980s, is anticipated to be a strategic piece of equipment in the face of current environmental challenges.
Reusing water, producing energy, limiting pollutants
Among the main innovations, the massive reuse of treated wastewater marks a turning point. Approximately 5 million cubic meters per year will be recycled, mainly for irrigation, urban cleaning, or certain industrial uses. This is a concrete response to water scarcity, in the context of recurring droughts. Another innovation: energy production from sludge resulting from water treatment. According to projections, Haliotis 2 is expected to produce four times more energy than currently, thereby reducing the site’s carbon footprint.
On the environmental side, the new plant is designed to filter up to 90% of micropollutants (residues from medications, cosmetics, etc.), which are still poorly addressed in older systems. Furthermore, 92% of the materials from the deconstruction of the old plant will be recycled.
A long construction, a wide impact
The construction, estimated at 700 million euros, will extend until 2030. It is funded by several public partners, including Europe, Suez, the State, and the Metropolis. The covered area remains unchanged: 26 municipalities in the Alpes-Maritimes, including Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu, and Èze. This represents nearly 700,000 inhabitants. “We are adapting our territory to the realities of climate, demographic growth, and resource scarcity,” declared Christian Estrosi, present at the ceremony.
