How can you finance a water-saving or pollution-reduction project with the Agence de l'eau Artois-Picardie?

Key points

The 2025-2030 programme forms the general framework for the Agency's actions. The Agency states that grant applications have been digital via the Rivage portal since 10 January 2025. Before starting any works, check the scheme's rules, the project's eligibility and whether prior approval is required.

What projects can a business submit for review?

The focus areas relevant to businesses include reducing water consumption, reusing process or stormwater, integrated stormwater management, and reducing polluting discharges. The project must be located in the Artois-Picardie basin and meet the criteria of the applicable resolution. The Agency's programme does not mean that every expense is automatically eligible.

1. Water savings grant

The Capital OS database fact sheet describes support for studies and works that reduce water withdrawals or improve water use: process optimisation, leak detection and measurement, reuse of process water, recycling of stormwater or treated wastewater, and certain facilities needed to use non-conventional water sources. Collective operations may also be covered. The amount is described as depending on the project: no rate should be promised without consulting the Agency's resolution and review process.

2. Integrated stormwater management grant

This fact sheet covers in particular studies and works for stormwater management: network separation, runoff collection, storage or treatment, infiltration and planting, and protective facilities. Depending on the site's configuration, an integrated approach can reduce discharges into the network and promote infiltration. The nature of eligible works, any technical requirements, and the treatment of operations already under way must be confirmed.

3. Pollution control grant

The database lists studies on pollutant flows, clean technologies, treatment, collection networks and the prevention of accidental pollution. Potentially covered works include process improvements, treatment facilities, network restructuring or the securing of existing facilities. The aim is to reduce pollution at source and/or limit discharges. Eligibility depends on the type of activity, the project, the connection context and the programme's rules.

Who can submit an application?

This list is working data: confirm the eligible applicant for each measure in the general terms and the current thematic resolution.

How do you prepare the application?

1. Describe the site, the activity, water consumption and the discharges involved. 2. Establish a measurable baseline and the expected results: water savings, volumes of stormwater infiltrated or pollutants avoided. 3. Distinguish studies from investments and itemise the costs. 4. Check the resolution corresponding to the theme and discuss with the Agency before starting the operation. 5. Create an account and submit the application via the Rivage portal. Keep supporting documents and follow correspondence on the platform.

Where do you submit the application?

The Agency states that submitting applications, requesting payments, tracking awarded grants and related documents are all accessible via Rivage: https://rivage.eau-artois-picardie.fr/. Also check the official page of the 12th programme 2025-2030 and the resolutions by area of intervention.

Points to watch before relying on the grant

The rate and the cap are not uniform: they depend on the measure, eligible expenses, the size and nature of the beneficiary, the applicable aid scheme and the project. The master database lists an end date of 31 December 2030, which corresponds to the programme's horizon but does not guarantee an available budget or the permanent availability of each measure. Get eligibility and the timeline confirmed in writing, and do not present an application as accepted until the Agency has notified its decision.

FAQ — Does the Agence de l'eau Artois-Picardie help businesses?

Yes, the 2025-2030 programme includes actions aimed in particular at businesses for water efficiency and pollution reduction. Eligibility remains tied to the measure and the project.

Do the grants cover investments?

Some fact sheets in the database cover studies and works, as well as collective operations. The precise expenses must be compared against the official resolution.

Can a guaranteed grant rate be obtained?

No. The amount depends on the project and the applicable rules. The catalogue cannot guarantee a rate without a review of the scheme.

How do you submit an application?

The Rivage portal is the digital entry point indicated by the Agency for submitting and tracking applications.

Official sources

• 12th intervention programme 2025-2030 — Agence de l'eau Artois-Picardie
• Resolutions by area of intervention — 12th programme — Agence de l'eau Artois-Picardie
• General terms of financial interventions — 2025-2030 — Agence de l'eau Artois-Picardie
• Rivage — grant application portal — Agence de l'eau Artois-Picardie
• Pollution control for non-agricultural economic activities — source referenced by the master database — Agence de l'eau Artois-Picardie