Launch of the ORION project

On December 11, 2024, the University of Reims-Champagne-Ardenne hosted the launch event for the ORION project. This project aims to manage water in an environmentally-friendly way, while preserving the ecosystem of the Meuse valley, a river running through France and Belgium. 

The launch event brought together representatives of the project's various operators, as well as a number of associated partners such as river managers from the Contrats de Rivières de Wallonie and the Agences de l'Eau in France. The operators are Université Champagne-Ardenne, the project leader, and researchers from the Escape and Sebio research units; ULiège and representatives from the PEgire unit; UNamur, with the URBE team and representatives from the Administration de la communication and Confluent des Savoirs; and researchers from the INERIS, Actalia and ISSeP laboratories.  

Building on the experience of the DIADeM project, ORION takes a global approach to understanding the impact of the various anthropogenic pressures on Mosan aquatic ecosystems (agricultural, domestic and industrial activities). The project focuses on the chemical, microbiological and ecotoxic risks of water, taking into account impacts on ecosystems and human consumption.

The launch event provided an opportunity for the various players involved to review the achievements of the DIADeM project and to present the objectives and working methods of the ORION project, as well as the various stages presented in work modules. The communication strategy was also unveiled, highlighting the means of promoting and disseminating the scientific results through training courses, exchanges with stakeholders in the field and water managers, and the organization of events and deliverables to raise awareness of the need to preserve the quality of our rivers.  
In addition to the research aspects, the launch event provided an opportunity for the various partners to exchange ideas in a convivial atmosphere, and to look forward to the project with great enthusiasm. With its consortium of specialists, ORION is committed to meeting the climatic and ecological challenges facing the cross-border Meuse region.