PRESENTATION
The Intersectoral Research Group for Sustainable and Responsible Water Management, GIREAU, is an emerging research consortium spearheaded by the National Institute for Scientific Research (INRS). Its activities, which focus on studying sustainable and responsible water management through essential and promising inter-center networks, began in September 2024.
The consortium is specifically studying the implications of the “Net Zero Water” concept in order to ensure the closure of the urban water cycle, with a particular focus on water recycling and reuse. Closing the urban water cycle and applying a new paradigm for water management requires the development of new technologies and models, but can only be achieved if accompanied by new modes of water governance that meet citizens’ aspirations and do not have a negative impact on their health. GIREAU brings together a critical mass of researchers from a variety of intersectoral backgrounds with cutting-edge expertise in complementary fields related to water.
Net Zero Water
“This concept aims to achieve zero net water consumption with no impact, in other words, no water is imported or exported from the area where it is used.”
GIREAU is also responsible for implementing the scientific program for the Carrefour de l’eau strategic project. The result of a collaboration between INRS, H2O Innovation, Patriarche Architecture, 2 Degrés, Québec city, Port of Québec, and Carrefour de l’eau will be both a research and development space and a technological and educational showcase for sustainable water management, located at the heart of a built environment and real estate hub promoting sound water management.