In 2020, the Bordeaux Métropole decided to create a public operator responsible for managing drinking water and wastewater services. This included the takeover of the drinking water service in 2023 and the takeover of the wastewater service in 2026.
THE CHALLENGE
The key challenge was to secure the operational transition and ensure continuity of service between the private operators (public service concessionaires) and the new public operator. Another major challenge was to build an information system capable of supporting the strategic objectives of the new public operator and adopted by the teams.
The scope: drinking water service (production, transport, and distribution), and the collective wastewater and urban stormwater service (collection and treatment).
Business Benefits
The programme delivered successful transitions of the operating model:
- Service continuity was ensured for users and staff during both switch‑over milestones from the private operator to the public operator.
- Deadlines and costs remained under control throughout the process.
- The new public operator’s information system was fully adopted.
THE SOLUTION
The solution began with the scoping of the overall strategy and the roadmap for building the information system of the new public operator. This work was structured around both the transitional and target stages, covering the definition of the strategy, the project portfolio, the roadmap and multi‑year investment plan, as well as the programme organization required to deliver it.
Atos also supported the governance and implementation of the IT programme across several dimensions. This included programme management, procurement engineering and support with public purchasing procedures, enterprise architecture, and assistance in defining end‑of‑contract protocols. The team provided PMO and owner’s‑assistant support for solution build, change‑management strategy and implementation, the definition of the IT delivery model, the scoping of the responsible digital strategy, and support for GDPR compliance.
To deliver this scope effectively, a support team of around 12-15 consultants were deployed on each programme—first drinking water, then wastewater.
RESULTS
- Ensured 100% service continuity throughout the transition
- Supported approximately 800 REBM employees
- Continued service for 800,000 citizens across Bordeaux Métropole
