Miscanthus to preserve water quality in Eure-et-Loir

Miscanthus to preserve water quality in Eure-et-Loir

In Chartres and Dreux (Eure-et-Loir), farmers are taking up the cultivation of miscanthus. This miscanthus planting season begins with two planting projects aimed at preserving water quality. The farmers involved have planted miscanthus in very specific areas: the water catchment areas (AAC) of Chartres Métropole and the Dreux metropolitan area.

Water that seeps into the soil of agricultural areas reaches the groundwater table, where it is then pumped. The quality of the water therefore depends on these agricultural areas.

The goal of planting Miscanthus is to create dilution zones. In these areas, there are no or very few pesticides or nitrogen fertilizers. Water that seeps into the dilution zones therefore contains lower concentrations of pesticide residues and nitrogen, which helps dilute other water sources.

The miscanthus planted this year will be included in the PES agreements signed by the two farmers in Chartres and Dreux. PES—Payments for Environmental Services—have been in place in these two municipalities for several years. They encourage and support practices that are more conducive to water quality. Miscanthus falls under the category of low-impact diversification crops (BNI).

Miscanthus plantations are also supported by the Seine-Normandy Water Agency, which subsidizes 40% of the cost of the rhizomes.

At Novabiom, in the Eure-et-Loir department, we offer purchase agreements to supply our production facility. We are also actively working to develop closer and shorter supply chains, particularly for biomass heating plants.