July 6, 2026
Equans France Optimizes Water Management at the Vinça Dam
At the Vinça Dam, Ineo Réseaux Sud, part of the Aveyron Languedoc Roussillon branch of Equans France, installed a 2-meter-diameter steel gate valve commissioned by the Pyrénées-Orientales Department, the project owner. It is designed to isolate and secure the water supply to the Corbère Canal. The project, carried out between 2025 and 2026, was conducted in coordination with the operator BRL (Compagnie du Bas‑Rhône Languedoc) and several technical partners. The goal is to modernize a strategic structure, ensure uninterrupted water flow during periods of water scarcity, and strengthen the resilience of the local irrigation network. The work involved civil engineering, steel prefabrication, welding, testing, and the construction of a new equipment room.
Equans France is securing the Corbère Canal and strengthening the region's hydraulic resilience
The Vinça project is situated in a sensitive hydrological context. The region has been experiencing a water shortage for several years, making it essential to secure the structures that supply the irrigation networks.
The existing gate could no longer reliably isolate the Corbère Canal, which exposed the structure to operational and maintenance risks.
Beyond the hydraulic challenges, the project presented several structural challenges:
-
A short construction window, with a shutdown limited to four weeks to complete all critical operations.
-
Technical constraints related to handling a hydraulic assembly weighing over 12 metric tons and integrating a valve with a very large diameter.
-
Complex concurrent operations, particularly with the simultaneous rehabilitation of a hollow-jet valve by the operator.
-
Natural hazards, such as flood risks or episodes of high winds, requiring enhanced planning and safety measures.
This project therefore represents a major challenge in terms of service continuity, hydraulic safety, and technical performance.
Water management made easier thanks to the discovery of a drain valve
The prefabrication of the steel components was entrusted to a specialized workshop, ensuring impeccable weld quality, comprehensive in-shop inspections, and strict adherence to deadlines.
On-site, the teams had to adapt to old, porous piping by adjusting work procedures and validating new welding processes. A watertight scaffold allowed work to continue despite unfavorable weather. The discovery of a drain valve at the lowest point also simplified hydraulic management, eliminating the need to install a cofferdam.
Equans France demonstrated its ability to adapt, combined with effective coordination with the engineering firms, the operator, and the project owner, which kept the project on schedule.
A collective success in securing the Corbère Canal, thanks to Equans France
The Vinça construction project is now considered a collective success. The work was completed on schedule, without any accidents, and to a standard of quality recognized by all parties. The benefits are numerous:
-
A sustainable water supply for the Corbère Canal, essential for irrigating the plain.
-
A complete modernization of the structure, incorporating a high-performance steel gate valve, tested and inspected according to the most stringent standards.
-
An improvement in the region’s hydraulic resilience, in the context of recurring drought.
This project demonstrates Equans France’s ability to tackle major technical challenges, secure critical infrastructure, and provide long-term support to regions in their water management.
