Each year, despite the construction of new structures, sedimentation causes the loss of 45 billion m3 of storage. This phenomenon of sedimentation of water reservoirs causes several problems:
- The loss of storage capacity or water intake.
- The loss of safety of the structures in case of blockage of the bottom valve, overloading of the facing or risk of flooding.
- The interruption of the sedimentary continuity which causes an ecological imbalance in the downstream watercourses.
Current sediment management techniques do not fully satisfy all operational and environmental constraints. In addition, their direct costs are relatively high and the safety of the site may be altered (the presence of personnel during these operations can lead to accidents). These dredging operations generate significant operating losses: loss of water and production, constraints on the water level (height), poor placement of energy, etc. As well as the recovery of dredged sediments which is often too costly and not very environmentally friendly (large quantities of carbon spent per kg of sediment recovered).
