Sainte-Soline, Deux-Sèvres, France
#00213
Case study of
#00198 Winter-filled substitution reservoirs with agroecological conditions (contested)
Implementer
Coop de l'eau 79 (irrigator cooperative), with state permitting
Timeline
Since Jan 1, 2022
Location
Description
The Deux-Sevres program comprises 16 winter-filled substitution reservoirs built by the Coop de l'eau 79, with approximately 70 percent public funding (total program cost figures around 76 million EUR circulate but are unverified). The Sainte-Soline reservoir alone holds 627,868 m³. In December 2024 the Bordeaux administrative court of appeal ruled 4 of the 16 reservoirs illegal for lack of a protected-species derogation for the little bustard (outarde canepetiere); under that ruling Sainte-Soline may deliver already stored water but cannot be refilled. In October 2025 the Conseil d'Etat confirmed the legality of the other 12. The Loi Duplomb (August 2025) created a presumption of major public interest for agricultural water storage. The substitution model's hydrological performance remains disputed between BRGM modelling cited by supporters and evaporation, resource capture, and maladaptation critiques raised by opponents.
Metrics
5Funding
Lessons learned
- Environmental permitting must include all required protected-species derogations before construction: the missing little bustard derogation invalidated 4 of 16 reservoirs and left Sainte-Soline unable to refill after a December 2024 court ruling.
- Approximately 70 percent public funding for infrastructure serving a minority of irrigating farms made allocation fairness the central political and legal vulnerability of the program.
- Winning permits and court rulings does not resolve social contestation; the Loi Duplomb legislative fix shifted the legal ground but did not restore social legitimacy.
- Treat unverified program cost figures with caution: the 76 million EUR total circulates but has not been officially confirmed.
Documented Jul 24, 2026