Ginestous-Garonne Wastewater Treatment Plant Interactive Animation to Raise Public Awareness

It is sometimes difficult for wastewater treatment plants to become accepted by the general public, and they are often the subject of heated debates. This is due to a lack of knowledge with regard to the issues surrounding this type of facility.

To explain the wastewater system to the public such as schoolchildren who are the consumers of tomorrow, the general public, the consumers of today as well as professionals in the water and wastewater sector.

As part of an overall commitment to sustainable development, this initiative aims at re-establishing the image of wastewater treatment plants and to make the public more aware of the environmental and health issues surrounding this type of operation.

Veolia Water's Grand Toulouse offices have developed a learning tool about wastewater which uses audiovisual and interactive technology to provide a comprehensive and entertaining picture of the process.

Its design centers on interactive audiovisual animation. This journey of discovery into the workings of a wastewater treatment plant uses the most inventive information technology and learning techniques in order to entertain and raise awareness among the general public. As the presenter puts across all the points he wishes to make, he will start the various interactive features as he goes along. Instant access to a database of information files allows the presenter to access, as he wishes, a wide range of wastewater related subjects such as the environment, conservation, technology, good citizenship and social issues...

The key message of this educational tool is to redefine the primary objective of a wastewater treatment plant as that of conserving ecosystems of rivers by treating wastewater as well as protecting the environment. Whilst making this point, it is also an excellent opportunity to increase public awareness regarding the basic rules of good citizenship, and to introduce the idea that we are all responsible for the amount of effluent that is produced, whether it be industrial or domestic effluent.