The Department of Water Supply, Sewerage, and Water Protection addresses complex issues in this field and undertakes activities which can generally be grouped under the following areas:

GROUNDWATER

• Groundwater monitoring, field investigations, and analyses;
• Identification and assessment of groundwater regimes;
• Hydrodynamic research of groundwater flow, using analog and mathematical models, and forecasting of groundwater regimes and groundwater quality under natural conditions and when various abstraction programs or technical measures for groundwater regime control are implemented;
• Modeling of groundwater flow in different aquifers and settings;
• Studies of the impact of systems of water wells and galleries on the groundwater regime;
• Studies of artificial aquifer recharge (effects of infiltration);
• Protection of groundwater resources from over-exploitation and depletion;
• Assessment of the impact of human activity on groundwater quality and quantity;
• Testing of groundwater pollution and design of remediation measures;
• Studies of groundwater flow and leakage at hydromechanical facilities;
• Addressing groundwater issues in mining operations.

DRINKING WATER

• Exploration of potential sources of water supply;
• Studies of long-term water demand;
• Water supply system studies and projects (water intakes, pumping stations, tunnels, pipelines, water reservoirs...);
• Rehabilitation and upgrading of water supply systems;
• Studies and projects for municipal and industrial water treatment facilities;
• Consulting services, reviews, audits, and construction supervision.

WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER

• Studies of wastewater quantity and quality;
• Mathematical modeling of sewerage systems;
• Studies of wastewater flow (combined, gravity and pressurized systems);
• Studies and projects for municipal wastewater and stormwater evacuation systems;
• Studies and projects for wastewater treatment plants;
• Consulting services, reviews, audits, and construction supervision.

LABORATORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

• Field investigations and measurements of water quality and quantity;
• Modeling of water quality;
• Testing of self-purification characteristics of rivers and aquifers;
• Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plant effluent control;
• Proposing water pollution protection measures;
• Assistance and consulting services related to water quality regulation;
• Assistance and consulting services in accident situations;
• Reference environmental status research (ecology, biodiversity, physical and chemical characteristics of soil, water and air...)
• Identification of pollution sources;
• Impact assessment of urban growth, increasing traffic, and agricultural and industrial development on water resources;
• Planning and implementation of surface water and groundwater pollution prevention measures;
• Studies of the impact of hydraulic structures on the environment/ecosystems;
• Assessment of the impact of wastewater discharges on water resources;
• Proposal of ecosystem/environmental management measures;
• International cooperation on environmental protection in the river basin.