Retrospective – OiEau in the grand History of the world of Water and Environment

The history of water is marked by key moments, both internationally and in France, which have shaped current policies and practices. This evolution is particularly marked by an increasingly integrated, participatory and sustainable approach to water management.

Internationally, the Mar del Plata Conference (1977) laid the foundations for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), while the UN gradually recognised water as a human right (2010) and incorporated its sustainable management into the Sustainable Development Goals (2015), with SDG 6 aiming for universal access to water and sanitation by 2030.

In France, the Water Law and the creation of the Water Agencies in 1964 marked a shift towards a river basin approach, reinforced by the European Water Framework Directive (2000) and the LEMA Law (2006), which institutionalised planning and the participation of local actors by transforming public policies. More recently, the GEMAPI Act (2014) and the France Relance Plan (2021) have accelerated the modernisation of infrastructure and the resilience of territories in the face of climate challenges.

Water is now considered a common good to be preserved for future generations.

Since the 1970s, water management has undergone profound changes, shifting from a sectoral and fragmented approach to an integrated and systemic vision, where environmental, social and climate issues are now inextricably linked.

Initially focused on access to drinking water and pollution control, water management has expanded to include ecosystem preservation with the gradual emergence of the basin approach in the 1990s, followed by adaptation to climate change and territorial resilience.

Governance models have also changed, with the rise of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to finance and manage infrastructure, as well as the proliferation of hybrid models (such as citizen cooperatives) and innovative financing, while integrating a dimension of social and environmental justice.

New technologies have also transformed water management, with space hydrology and connected sensors, for example, enabling real-time monitoring.

Finally, over the years, it has become a geopolitical and diplomatic issue, particularly for transboundary basins, with international agreements and initiatives such as the Paris Pact on Water and Climate.

These developments illustrate a transition towards more collaborative and agile management, where water, considered a common heritage to be preserved, is a lever for cooperation and a pillar of climate adaptation.

In the face of climate change, water management has been reinvented thanks to innovative and sustainable approaches.

Space hydrology and satellite remote sensing are revolutionising resource monitoring, offering unprecedented accuracy in anticipating droughts or floods and optimising watershed management.

At the same time, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) – such as wetland restoration and riverbank revegetation – are helping to regenerate the natural water cycle, while enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.

To cope with the increasing scarcity of available resources, the ‘water mix’ (a concept combining all available water resources: surface water, groundwater, green water, unconventional water) and the use of Treated Wastewater Reuse (TWR) are emerging as strategic levers. These practices make it possible to secure the water supply for various uses, while reducing withdrawals from natural environments.

Finally, integrated rainwater management is transforming territories by promoting green infrastructure to limit the risks of flooding and encourage the natural water cycle, enabling, among other things, the recharge of groundwater aquifers.

These innovations, at the crossroads of technology, ecology and territorial planning, are shaping a more agile, sober and resilient approach to water management, which is essential for meeting today's climate challenges.

Founded in 1991 through the merger of three organisations specialising in water management, OiEau is a French association recognised as being of public utility, dedicated to developing skills for better water management in France, Europe and around the world.

Since its creation, OiEau has been at the heart of these developments and has established itself as a key player in translating major global trends into strategic, operational, technical and legal actions. In particular, it has supported the implementation of European directives (such as the Urban Waste Water Directive and the Water Framework Directive) and promoted the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).

A pioneer in the structuring of water data in France with the creation of SANDRE (1993) and the sharing of experiences and best practices with the creation of the International Network of Basin Organisations (INBO, 1994), OiEau has also played a central role in the training of professionals (more than 100,000 learners trained over 35 years) and the strengthening of international cooperation, particularly in Latin America, Africa, Europe and Central Asia.

Today, in more than 80 countries, OiEau works alongside more than 150 partners and clients, thanks to its four complementary areas of expertise in the service of equitable, sustainable and resilient water management:

• Technical and Institutional Support & Cooperation
• Training & Educational Engineering
• Knowledge Development & Information Systems
• Facilitation and Development of Stakeholder Networks

Its 170 employees offer a range of technical, operational, institutional, legal and strategic expertise to a wide variety of stakeholders, such as local authorities, institutions, industrial companies, consulting firms, etc.

From the creation of water agencies in France to the revolution in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), via climate challenges and technological innovations, OiEau has made its mark on water management since its creation in 1991.

In 2 minutes and 30 seconds, take a look at the dates that have shaped our water management and, at the same time, discover OiEau's unique journey, its commitments to sustainable water management and its concrete actions around the world, from training professionals to international cooperation, in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).