Smart cities and water management: OiEau supports local authorities in their transition to sustainable territories

Thanks to its four areas of recognised expertise (training, cooperation, institutional and technical support, and the implementation of information systems and networks of stakeholders), OiEau supports local authorities in implementing integrated solutions for more efficient and participatory water management.

Through its projects at all levels (local, national, in France, worldwide and cross-border), OiEau has developed expertise and solutions that enable regions to effectively address the impacts of climate change, which profoundly affect water resources.

This practical manual, published by the International Network of Basin Organisations, for which OiEau provides the Technical Secretariat, proposes an innovative approach to linking urban issues with those of river basins.

It offers local authorities concrete tools to:

• improve coordination between local actors;
• plan sustainable actions;
• promote shared governance around water.

With the CAVM project, OiEau supported the Valenciennes Métropole Urban Community in developing a strategic master plan for the overall water cycle.

This approach is based on:

• a systemic view of the water cycle;
• the integration of environmental, technical and social issues;
• better anticipation of future needs through digital innovation.

This project illustrates OiEau's ability to combine territorial intelligence, ecological transition and citizen participation.

In the Adour-Garonne basin, many small communities face difficulties in water and sanitation management (AEPA).

In response, the Adour-Garonne Water Agency (AEAG) commissioned OiEau to conduct a study aimed at identifying obstacles and proposing levers for action.

The methodology was based on four stages:

• Analysis of rural communities' needs in terms of engineering, governance and training;
• Field surveys to map local expectations;
• Inventory and adaptation of existing tools to strengthen technical and financial skills;
• Proposal of support scenarios to guide future AEAG interventions.

This approach contributes to more inclusive, equitable and intelligent water management, aligned with the objectives of people-centred smart cities.

The PROSPEREAU tool, developed by OiEau, helps local authorities to better anticipate their financial needs and optimise investment planning.

It enables them to:

• simulate medium- and long-term economic scenarios;
• assess the financial sustainability of water policies;
• support elected officials and technicians in their strategic decisions.

👉 Read the interview with Marc-Yvan Laroye, Deputy Director General of OiEau, in the journal L'Eau, L'Industrie, les Nuisances to learn more about the benefits of this innovative tool.

OiEau's projects demonstrate that smart water management can be a lever for:

• strengthening the climate resilience of territories;
• improving the quality of life of inhabitants;
• stimulating local innovation and shared governance.

On this World Cities Day 2025, OiEau reaffirms its commitment to sustainable, supportive and resilient territories with an intelligent and humane water transition.

Its action contributes to making water a vector of collective intelligence, serving cities and watersheds, elected officials and citizens.