Water tender revoked in Île-de-France

The water supply for about 520,000 people in the Yvelines and Hauts-de-Seine regions is being re-opened to competition after a previous tender was canceled. The mixed syndicate Aquavesc, which provides drinking water to the area, announced on October 15 that it will launch a new tender process.

Court cancels previous water contract

On February 24, the Versailles administrative court canceled the earlier public drinking water contract, which had extended the operations of the water and waste treatment company Suez. This decision was later confirmed by the Council of State on June 16.

Committee chooses public service management

On October 14, the elected officials of Aquavesc’s syndical committee voted to keep the public service delegation (DSP) as the management model for the drinking water service. This decision, according to the syndicate, sets the stage for a new tender process after the previous one was canceled by the courts.

New water contract to start in 2028

The new water supply contract is set to begin on January 1, 2028. The current contract will be extended until December 31, 2027, to ensure uninterrupted water production and distribution during the tender process. The terms of the new 11-year contract have been reviewed based on lessons learned from the canceled tender.

Veolia claims unfair competition

Veolia, an environmental services company, felt it was unfairly treated and filed a legal challenge against the award of the water distribution contract, which covers 32 communes in the Yvelines and Hauts-de-Seine. The court ruled that Aquavesc had violated the principle of equal treatment of candidates, potentially harming Veolia’s chances.