UNPG reveals the role of quarries in preserving water resources

By PR influence Published on Monday, March 24, 2025 at 16:15 AM

Photo credits : UNICEM

Summary for decision-makers

Quarry operators in France are proactively integrating environmental issues into their operations, transforming these extraction sites into valuable assets for sustainable natural resource management. By meeting diverse needs based on regional specificities, quarries contribute to the preservation of drinking water resources, the sanitation of agricultural water, drought management, and the protection of biodiversity. They also play a key role in preventing fires and flooding, acting as buffer zones to absorb excess water during intense rainfall events.

Subject to strict regulations, quarries must conduct impact assessments before their creation or expansion, assessing the potential effects on ecosystems and water resources. Through 35 concrete examples, this publication highlights how quarries provide sustainable solutions that promote ecosystem resilience in the face of climate challenges, while meeting the needs of local communities. The collection of good practices, published by UNICEM, further illustrates these initiatives and how quarries can optimize water management and contribute to a more sustainable future.

The National Union of Aggregate Producers (UNPG), a member of UNICEM (National Union of Quarry and Construction Materials Industries), publishes the brochure "Preserving and enhancing water resources" which highlights an often overlooked aspect of quarries: their role in the management and preservation of water resources, both during their operation and after their redevelopment.

Quarries, little-known players in sustainable water management in France

Across the country, quarry operators are actively working to integrate environmental issues into their activities.
Quarries, much more than extraction sites essential to regional planning, are proving to be valuable allies in the sustainable management of natural resources.
Indeed, depending on the specificities of the regions, they provide concrete and varied solutions for:

Preserve drinking water resources by contributing to the recharging of water tables and the preservation of groundwater quality.
Clean up agricultural water by filtering and purifying water affected by intensive agricultural practices.
Support agricultural irrigation by storing water and providing an essential resource for agricultural activities, particularly during times of drought.
Supplying local communities with drinking water through basins.
Preserve biodiversity and ecosystems by redeveloping them to create natural habitats for local species.
Fight fires with water reserves quickly mobilized in an emergency.
Protect against flooding by acting as buffer zones, to absorb excess water during heavy rainfall events.

Each quarry, as a classified facility for environmental protection (ICPE), is subject to strict regulations. Before its creation, renewal, or expansion, an impact study is conducted to assess the effects of its operation on the territory. This analysis focuses in particular on the impacts on hydrological and hydrogeological balances, aquatic ecosystems, water resources, as well as the watercourse mobility space for the sites concerned.

Concrete examples to illustrate sustainable solutions

To better understand the sustainable solutions implemented, several exemplary projects illustrate how quarries can respond to environmental issues while contributing to the management of natural resources.
Flood control, strategic water storage, flow support during low water periods, hydrological reconnection, creation of wetlands, replenishment of groundwater, protection of populations and infrastructure, and recovery of mine water are the various services provided to the territories.
The 35 published examples show how, in all regions, quarries can play an important role in sustainable solutions for water management, biodiversity preservation and security, while effectively reconciling environmental and
industrial.

This new publication highlights the positive impact quarries have on their local environment. It illustrates how, beyond their primary function, they contribute to the territorial network by meeting the needs of communities and contributing to the resilience of ecosystems in the face of climate challenges.
Furthermore, UNICEM committed companies, an association supported by UNICEM, recently published a collection of good practices devoted to sustainable water management aimed at
sharing and promoting initiatives implemented by stakeholders in the mineral materials sector, available on www.unicem.fr.

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