Stereau to supply Mayotte with 10,000 m3 of drinking water a day
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The Syndicat Les Eaux de Mayotte (LEMA) has awarded the global performance contract for the design, construction, and operation of a future desalination plant on Grande-Terre Island, Ironi Bé, Mayotte, to the Stereau-led consortium. This consortium includes the companies Artelia, AROM, Colas, and Saur France. This major project responds to the severe water crisis impacting the department.
The contract awarded to Stereau amounts to €36 million excluding tax. The project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, will significantly improve the supply of drinking water on the island and reduce water shortages. The operation of the plant will be managed by Saur France for an initial period of three years, with the option to renew the contract for an additional two years, in one-year increments.
Designed to produce 10,000 m³ of drinking water per day from seawater, the Ironi Bé desalination plant will implement a proven water treatment process, including an alert station, flotation, bilayer filter filtration, high-pressure reverse osmosis treatment followed by remineralization and disinfection (chlorination). Reverse osmosis, an advanced water treatment technology, converts seawater into drinking water by removing salts and other impurities, an essential solution to meet the island’s growing demand for fresh water.
A major project to address an unprecedented crisis
Mayotte is facing its most severe drought since 1997, making this desalination plant project crucial. With water reserves nearly depleted, the construction of this plant is an essential response to ensure the daily supply of drinking water for the population.
The project includes an initial phase of work for a capacity of 10,000 m³/day, followed by an increase to 16,670 m³/day planned for 2026, without any service interruption. This flexibility is made possible by an adaptable and optimized water treatment design developed by Stereau.
A responsible and environmentally friendly approach
The Ironi Bé plant will effectively reduce water losses throughout the treatment process, thanks to technologies such as flotation and the use of reverse osmosis concentrate for filter cleaning. Stereau is also committed to minimizing the environmental impact of this facility. All liquid waste streams will be treated on-site before being discharged into the ocean, and specific measures will be taken to limit effects on the surrounding marine biodiversity.
Stereau s’engage également à minimiser l’impact environnemental de cette installation. Tous les flux d’effluents liquides seront traités sur place avant leur rejet dans l’océan, et des mesures spécifiques seront prises pour limiter les effets sur la biodiversité marine environnante.
Hugo Bardi, Chairman and CEO of Saur Water Engineering:
«We are particularly proud to win the Ironi Bé desalination plant project in Mayotte, which reinforces our ability to meet the challenges of water resource management in demanding contexts and timeframes. This facility perfectly embodies future challenges in water resource management. It highlights our commitment, and that of our partners, to provide cutting-edge technological solutions to secure drinking water supply and sustainably support local populations in the face of climate change effects.»