Centre d'interprétation de l'eau

What Centre d'interprétation de l'eau does

Centre d'interprétation de l'eau (C.I.EAU) is a Quebec-registered nonprofit charitable organization (OBNL, charity number 862515764 RR 0001) operating an accredited scientific museum dedicated to water education, founded in 2002 by André Perrault and headquartered in the Sainte-Rose water production station at 12 rue Hotte in Laval. The organization serves three core audiences: families and the general public through its physical museum (permanent exhibition 'Le chemin de l'eau'), school groups from preschool through university via curriculum-aligned laboratory activities, VR experiences and mobile programs, and Quebec municipalities seeking station scenography, virtual tours, and citizen water-awareness campaigns. Its product portfolio spans the permanent museum exhibition, the Lab'eau scientific laboratory, temporary exhibitions (e.g., Lab'eauratoire à ciel ouvert), the Rivière Rivière immersive dome, the Deviens Techn'eau VR career-exploration experience, the Rallye des rivières 21-station recreational route with a bilingual AR-enabled mobile app, and Project WET Canada national coordination. C.I.EAU generates revenue through a diversified nonprofit model combining museum admissions, school activity fees (CAD $160-$417 per group), tiered memberships (CAD $25+ Regular, $50+ Premium, $100+ Corporate), charitable donations (registered for tax receipts of $20+), merchandise sales, and B2B municipal service contracts and event kiosk rentals (starting at CAD $896 for 5 hours). The organization operates with approximately 35 staff, is governed by a volunteer board of directors led by President Denise Cloutier and Director General Isabelle Côté, and is core-funded/partnered with Ville de Laval and the Gouvernement du Québec while collaborating with Réseau Environnement, Cégep de Saint-Laurent, Project WET Canada, and multiple Quebec municipalities.

Name

Centre d'interprétation de l'eau

Legal name

Centre d'interprétation de l'eau

Website

https://cieau.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

C.I.EAU is a Quebec nonprofit scientific museum and water education center in Laval that delivers curriculum-aligned school programs, immersive museum exhibits, VR experiences, and municipal water-awareness services to families, schools, and municipalities across Quebec.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Museum & Environmental Education

NAICS

Museums (712110), Educational Services (611), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Lab & Science Virtual Labs (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) (EDAFAJAE)

Keywords

• Water education
• Science museum
• Environmental education
• School programs
• Municipal water services

Headquarters

HQ city

Laval, Québec

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Museum Admissions and Tickets: Revenue from individual and group admissions to museum exhibitions, including the permanent exhibition 'Le chemin de l'eau' and temporary exhibitions like 'Lab'eauratoire à ciel ouvert'. Tickets sold online and at door.
2. School Activity Fees: Fees charged for educational activities delivered to school groups, ranging from $160 to $417 per group depending on activity type and format (museum-based, mobile, or virtual). Subsidized rates available through Culture-Éducation program.
3. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees: Regular $25+, Premium $50+, Corporate $100+. Members receive free museum access, discounts on programs, event invitations, and newsletter access.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals supporting water education mission. C.I.EAU is a registered charity (862515764 RR 0001) issuing tax receipts for donations of $20 or more. Annual JOY'eau campaign.
5. Merchandise Sales: Sale of promotional items including the 'Bienvenue à Eauville' collection (pins, bottles, t-shirts) available at museum boutique and online.
6. Municipal Services and Kiosk Rentals: Fees for municipality services including kiosk animations at events (starting at $896 for 5 hours), dôme immersif rentals, conference presentations, and station scenography projects for various Quebec municipalities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Centre d'interprétation de l'eau (C.I.EAU) operates an accredited scientific museum and water education center housed within the Sainte-Rose water production station in Laval, Quebec. Its core offering consists of museum exhibitions, hands-on scientific laboratory activities, immersive dome and VR experiences, school programs aligned with the Quebec curriculum, and contracted municipal water-education services delivered across Quebec.

Product overview

C.I.EAU operates as a science museum and educational center focused on water interpretation, consisting of multiple integrated components: (1) Physical museum space featuring the permanent exhibition 'Le chemin de l'eau: de la rivière à la rivière' and Lab'eau laboratory; (2) Temporary exhibitions like Lab'eauratoire à ciel ouvert; (3) Immersive experiences including the Rivière Rivière dome and La goutte en route collaborative game; (4) Comprehensive school programs including Compareau, Rangers de l'eau, Chasse aux bibittes, Eau bout de la chaîne, Bye bye Caca, ESDE, Eau Cube, and Fantastik'eau pedagogical kits; (5) Deviens Techn'eau VR career exploration; (6) Recreational tourism via Rallye des rivières with mobile app; (7) Municipal services including station scenography and event kiosks; (8) Project WET international education program; and (9) Annual Prix de la Relève award. The organization also offers memberships and donations to support its mission of promoting water protection and responsible use.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Musée du C.I.EAU (Permanent Exhibition "Le chemin de l'eau") Accredited scientific museum exhibition featuring 10 themed areas covering potable water treatment from capture to distribution and wastewater return, with interactive modules, bubble columns, and historical collection pieces. Targeted at families, individual visitors, and school groups.
• Lab'eau Laboratory Hands-on scientific laboratory where visitors and students conduct water treatment, water quality, and aquatic ecosystem experiments using microscopes and specialized equipment. Designed for families, school groups, and youth programs.
• Lab'eauratoire à ciel ouvert Temporary outdoor exhibition exploring rainwater through contemporary art and scientific observation, created by artist Maryse Ménard. Targeted at museum visitors and the general public during summer 2026.
• Rivière Rivière (Immersive Dome Experience) Immersive dome experience featuring digital art projection showing the complete water journey from nature through urban treatment and back to the river, combining real imagery with poetic digital creations. Available at the museum, via mobile dome for schools and events, and as a rental service for municipalities.
• La goutte en route Collaborative board game where teams make water management decisions across different zones (residential, agricultural, industrial, natural) while adapting to climate-related events and challenges. Offered at the museum on weekends for families and visitors.
• Rallye des rivières (mobile app + outdoor rally) Recreational tourism activity with 21 permanent markers along the Mille Îles and Prairies rivers, accompanied by a bilingual mobile app (iOS/Android) featuring augmented reality, quizzes, videos, and educational games. Targeted at families, individuals, and tourists exploring Laval riverside.
• Water Station Visits (Visites de stations d'eau)

Quantifiable outcome

• 21 permanent rally stations across Laval and surrounding region, reaching citizens throughout territory
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Gouvernement du QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Financing partner for Deviens Techn'eau VR project through Fonds bleu under Plan national de l'eau and Stratégie québécoise de l'eau. Supports water education initiatives and career awareness programs.
• Ville de LavalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Primary municipal partner hosting C.I.EAU within municipal water infrastructure. Provides funding for Rivière Rivière immersive dome project and free school programming (water station tours, Eau Cube virtual sessions). C.I.EAU operates from second floor of Sainte-Rose water production station.
• Réseau EnvironnementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental network providing expertise and representation. Board member Jean Lamarre serves as secretary representing Réseau Environnement. Collaborates on events including STEQ Environmental Technologies Trade Show.
• Cégep de Saint-LaurentsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner collaborating on Deviens Techn'eau VR program and immersive dome pedagogical guide development for secondary students.
• Centre de formation professionnelle Paul-Gérin-LajoiesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational training center collaborating on Deviens Techn'eau VR education project for water sector careers.
• Regroupement des organismes de bassins versants du Québec (ROBVQ)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWatershed organization network partner in Deviens Techn'eau VR project development.
• ÉcotimesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical partner providing Hydraloop equipment support for Lab'eauratoire à ciel ouvert temporary exhibition on rainwater art and science.
• DesjardinssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor financial institution partner supporting C.I.EAU's mission and educational programs.
• Fondation de Gaspé BeaubiensupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPrivate foundation supporting C.I.EAU's water education mission and community engagement.
• StantecsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEngineering firm partner supporting C.I.EAU corporate partnership program.
• Ville de QuébecsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal client for water treatment plant scenography projects including biomethanization facility education materials.
• Régie d'aqueduc intermunicipale des Moulins (RAIM)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntermunicipal water utility client for digital water plant scenography project.
• Project WET Canada / Canadian Water Resources AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerC.I.EAU serves as national coordinator for Project WET (Water Education Today), providing water education workshops and certifying educators across Canada. Delivers interactive water activities through Project WET framework.
• Musée Armand-FrappiersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaval science museum network partner for joint events including Eau Perséides day combining water and space themes.
• Éco-Nature - Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-ÎlessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaval environmental park partner for collaborative water education events and programming.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Parc Oméga: Quebec wildlife and nature park delivering immersive outdoor educational experiences to families and school groups. Comparable as a Quebec-based recreotourism operator competing for the same family day-trip and school-field-trip audience.
• Éco-Nature (Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles): Laval-based nature park and conservation organization along the Rivière des Mille-Îles, and a C.I.EAU programming partner. Comparable as a regional environmental-interpretation operator sharing the same territory and visitor pool.
• Cosmodôme: Laval-based space science center delivering curriculum-linked school programs, immersive experiences, and family visits. Comparable as a Laval-region science-museum competitor targeting the same school-group and family audiences.

Others

• Réseau Environnement: Quebec environmental-network organization of which C.I.EAU board member Jean Lamarre serves as secretary. Comparable as a Quebec environmental-sector ecosystem partner with overlapping municipal, water-sector, and policy networks.
• Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA): National not-for-profit association for water-resources professionals and Project WET Canada partner of C.I.EAU. Comparable as a pan-Canadian water-knowledge network with overlapping policy and education stakeholders.

Direct peers

• Centre d'interprétation du milieu écologique du Haut-Richelieu (CIME): Quebec interpretation center delivering hands-on environmental and water-related educational activities to schools and the public. Directly comparable in mission, scale, and Quebec provincial footprint to C.I.EAU.
• Espace pour la vie: Montreal's flagship network of nature and science museums (Biodôme, Insectarium, Botanical Garden, Planetarium). Comparable as a Quebec-based accredited museum operator delivering science interpretation to families, schools, and tourists, though broader in thematic scope than C.I.EAU's water specialization.
• Musée Armand-Frappier: Laval-based science museum focused on health, biotechnology, and life sciences, and an active programming partner of C.I.EAU (joint events such as Perseids Water Day). Comparable as a Laval-region accredited science museum serving schools and families.
• Biosphère: Environment-focused museum operated by Parc Canada in Montreal dedicated to environmental issues including Great Lakes/St. Lawrence water ecosystems. Closest thematic peer to C.I.EAU within the Greater Montreal museum ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Project WET Foundation: U.S.-headquartered international water-education organization whose curriculum C.I.EAU administers nationally in Canada. Comparable as the parent water-education methodology licensor and global peer in water-literacy programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCiwEYUoya3w6Zlc42tYMYAg
• Facebookfacebook.com/C.I.EAU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cieaulaval
• Instagraminstagram.com/c.i.eau
• TikToktiktok.com/@c.i.eau

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centre d'interprétation de l'eau