Industry: Water / Municipal water.
Location: Montpelier, France.
Client: La Régie des Eaux.
Sustaining a growing city’s lifeline.
In the early 1980s, Montpellier, a city in southern France, faced a critical need to establish a dependable source of drinking water for its expanding population.
The Jacques Avias pumping station, located at the karst spring of the River Lez southeast of Les Matelles, was identified as the optimal site to meet this demand.
To harness this natural resource effectively, the city required pumping technology that could deliver high performance and longevity.
PLEUGER’s long-term solution.
In 1982, PLEUGER was commissioned to equip the Jacques Avias station with tandem submersible motor pumps, specifically designed for this application. These two-stage pumps were engineered to operate continuously, extracting 1,700 liters of drinking water per second from three well shafts to supply the Montpellier community. An additional pump was installed to discharge 250 liters per second back into the Lez River, supporting the local ecosystem within the “Natura 2000” protected area.
Key features of the original installation included:
- Customized design: Pumps tailored to the specific requirements of the karst spring, ensuring optimal performance.
- Durability: Units designed for a maintenance cycle of 15 years, with an expected operational life of 30 years.
- Environmental consideration: Integration of a discharge system to maintain river flow and support protected species.
Three decades of uninterrupted service.
For 30 years, PLEUGER’s pumps operated reliably, requiring only routine maintenance at the 15-year mark as planned by the water authority, “La Régie des Eaux.” This longevity underscored the quality and durability of the engineering solutions provided, ensuring a stable water supply for Montpellier’s residents over three decades.
Modernization for continued reliability.
Upon reaching the end of their maintenance cycle, two of the original 20-ton, 10-meter-long pump units were scheduled for replacement. PLEUGER was once again selected for this project to maintain system uniformity and leverage the established reliability of their equipment.
The new installations featured:
- Advanced materials: Water-cooled stainless steel motors positioned below the hydraulics, drawing spring water via a suction-pressure jacket.
- Enhanced hydraulics: Single-stage grey cast iron pump systems connected to pressure-boosting units, efficiently transporting drinking water 34 meters upwards.
- Economic efficiency: Investments designed to amortize over 15 years, with equipment longevity projected at 30 years, ensuring cost-effective and uninterrupted water supply for the Montpellier metropolitan area.
813,000+
population (2020)
30
year equipment lifetime
17,000
litres of drinking water per second
Impact and future outlook.
As of the 2020 census, Montpellier’s population had grown to approximately 299,096 residents, with the metropolitan area encompassing over 813,000 individuals. PLEUGER’s enduring partnership with Montpellier exemplifies a commitment to engineering solutions that stand the test of time.
By providing pumps that deliver sustained performance and reliability, PLEUGER has played a crucial role in securing the city’s water infrastructure, supporting its significant population growth. As urban centers continue to expand and demand resilient utilities, PLEUGER remains dedicated to supporting such initiatives with innovative and dependable technologies.
Discover how PLEUGER can enhance your municipal water supply systems.
Made for water. Engineered for life.
Made for water. Engineered for life.
Part of Flacks Group
