Work has begun in Reims to prevent the heavy floods of summer 2021 from happening again in some districts of the city. The idea is to make the soil permeable for a more virtuous management of rainwater.
In recent weeks it has been impossible to pass rue Ruinart-de-Brimont in Reims. Construction machines continue to dig the ground, where the road was. A large basin is already forming, which welcomes the first autumn rains.
This road, he had to redo it, it was his turn. But this time, the road service of the Greater Reims he had to think about things differently trying to integrate rainwater harvesting into this repair. This is why the new flooring will be permeable: water can infiltrate. The basins, under the road, will also collect showers, light drizzles and thunderstorms. “From now on, as soon as we issue a building permit, we request water infiltration on the land concerned, explains Catherine Vautrin, (Renaissance) president of Grand Reims. This is why we are developing a ‘Rain floor : work on a series of solutions that we need to implement. Whenever we have the opportunity to work, we work on it “
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Because recovering rainwater, helping it to follow its natural cycle, is anything but trivial. For the planet, as for the inhabitants. With the exploitation of the soil, the various constructions, the construction of asphalted roads, the water that falls from the sky ends up landing on impermeable surfaces. And in the city as well as in the countryside, it is problematic. “The water flows, is loaded with pollutants and ends up in the pipes”, we can read onThe Greater Reims Urban Community Water Website. And whoever says polluted rainwater, says a dispersion of these pollutants into the environment. The quality of groundwater and streams has been deteriorating for many years.
The Rain map from urban community of Reims It therefore aims to establish good habits when building new infrastructure, for example, the construction of drainage trenches, filter basins or other rain collectors. “Soon there will be a park near the Saint-André church in Reims, continues Catherine Vautrin. We will then install there is also a water infiltration system. “ The Rain map, or why it is better to leave the grass of a playground rather than pave it. Time to clean up your mud-soaked pants on your way out of school … On rainy days, of course.
It is necessary to enhance the water in which it falls, or by letting it infiltrate, recovering it, or reusing it so that it regains its natural cycle.
Grande Reims water service
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Another disadvantage of excessive soil sealing: it cannot compete with climate change. For several years the episodes of torrential rains that saturate the urban networks have multiplied. In the Jean-Jaurès neighborhood, in Reims, not far from rue Ruinart-de-Brimont, residents remember the beginning of summer 2021, when torrents of rain fell along the boulevard that gave the neighborhood its name. Result: businesses devastated by flooding and traders throwing in the towel after three particularly virulent episodes.
The water that infiltrates and accumulates in the ground therefore allows to avoid the phenomena of urban rivers but also not to saturate other watercourses. This also prevents flooding in rural areas. The goal is therefore to “making the entire territory more resilient to the risk of flooding”, we see in Grand Reims.
But being more resilient in the face of flood risk also means being more resilient in the face of the other side of the same coin: drought. The summer of 2022 and its dry waterways once again demonstrated, if necessary, the absolute need to better manage water resources.
More permeable soils also ensure the recharge of groundwater. Water becomes available all year round. The builders of Rain map finally brag “the return of biodiversity” (water is life), “cleaner air” (thanks to the capture of CO2 by water molecules) e “islands of summer freshness”.
Plan for the rain of Greater Reims
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© Grand Reims
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But for the moment, on rue Ruinart-de-Brimont, passers-by tend to wear some wool. The works should be completed at the end of October, for the first part. And continue, going towards the boulevard Saint-Marceaux, until the end of the year. “It’s not neutral, says Catherine Vautrin. It is an investment of 900 000 euros for the urban community, between road repair and specific water development “.
In Reims every year 17 million euros are invested in the renewal of roads and roads. Each blade will now have to take into account the natural rainwater cycle.
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