EPAGA - Bassin versant de l'Aulne et de l'Hyères

What EPAGA - Bassin versant de l'Aulne et de l'Hyères does

EPAGA (Établissement Public d'Aménagement et de Gestion de l'Aulne) is a French public territorial basin establishment (EPTB), created and labeled in 2008 under the SAGE Aulne framework, responsible for integrated water resource management and aquatic-environment preservation across the Aulne and Hyères river watershed in Finistère, Brittany. The organization operates from a single headquarters in Châteaulin with 11 staff, coordinating programs that span drought support (soutien d'étiage via the Saint-Michel reservoir at Brennilis, 10 million m³ capacity, serving 180,000 inhabitants), flood prevention (PAPI program with free vulnerability diagnostics for residents), water quality monitoring, Natura 2000 site animation across the Vallée de l'Aulne, bocage restoration (Breizh Bocage), agro-environmental contracts (MAEC Aulne-Elorn), and the Aires Terrestres Éducatives school program. Technical infrastructure includes interactive GIS cartography of watercourses, wetlands, and Natura 2000 zones, plus hydrological surveillance systems used to coordinate water releases with EDF at the Brennilis dam.

EPAGA is funded entirely through public sources: member-EPIs (CCPCP, CCHC, MAC, CCPCAM) contribute via the comité syndical, and grants flow from the Département du Finistère, Région Bretagne, the French State, DREAL Bretagne, and European funds (FEDER, FEADER). No commercial fees are charged for core services; hedge planting under Breizh Bocage and flood-protection works under PAPI are partially subsidized (up to 80% for individual property protection). The go-to-market model is community-led, relying on public consultations, the Commission Locale de l'Eau, school partnerships with OFB, radio outreach (Radio Evasion, Transistoc'h), and annual events such as the Festival 'au fil de l'Aulne'. Key stakeholders include municipal governments, water-supply syndicates, farmers in nitrate-vulnerable zones, schools, environmental NGOs (Bretagne Vivante, LPO, Groupe Mammalogique Breton), and residents in flood-prone areas. Governance is led by President Gaël CALVAR (elected September 2021) and Director Xavier Badé.

Name

EPAGA - Bassin versant de l'Aulne et de l'Hyères

Legal name

Etablissement Public d'Aménagement et de Gestion de l'Aulne

Website

https://epaga-aulne.bzh

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EPAGA is a French public EPTB established in 2008 that manages the Aulne and Hyères river watershed in Brittany, delivering drought support, flood prevention, water-quality monitoring, Natura 2000 conservation, and agricultural-environmental programs funded by member municipalities and public grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Watershed Management Services

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (924110)

SIC

Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAMAE

Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration

SECONDARYEUANAJAH

Watershed/Source Water & Raw Water Quality Monitoring (intakes, reservoirs, groundwater)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Water & Wastewater Utilities/Water Quality Testing, Compliance & Reporting

SECONDARYBPAIACAG

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Local/Municipal Government Administration

Keywords

• Watershed management services
• Flood prevention programs
• Water quality monitoring
• Drought support services
• Biodiversity conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Châteaulin

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public funding and membership contributions: EPAGA is a public territorial basin establishment (EPTB) funded through public contributions from member communities and public funding programs. The organization receives funding from entities such as Conseil Départemental du Finistère, the French State, Région Bretagne, and European funds (FEDER, FEADER) for specific programs like Breizh Bocage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

EPAGA is a French public territorial basin establishment (EPTB - Établissement Public Territorial de Bassin) that manages the Aulne and Hyères river watershed in Finistère, Brittany. The organization delivers integrated water resource management services including flood prevention through the PAPI program, low-flow drought support via water releases from the Saint-Michel reservoir, water quality monitoring, Natura 2000 biodiversity site animation, agricultural support programs (Breizh Bocage hedgerow restoration and MAEC contracts), free flood vulnerability diagnostics for residents, and environmental education through the Aires Terrestres Éducatives school program.

Product overview

EPAGA is a public territorial water management establishment (EPTB) offering a unified suite of environmental management services for the Aulne and Hyères watershed. Its portfolio is organized around core watershed governance programs — the SAGE Aulne, PAPI flood prevention, étiage support, and Natura 2000 animation — supplemented by agricultural support tools (Breizh Bocage hedgerow restoration, MAEC agro-environmental contracts), water quality monitoring, flood vulnerability diagnostics, and educational programs (Aires Terrestres Éducatives). Digital services include an interactive mapping platform. All programs are delivered through EPAGA's own operational teams and partner institutions, with no modular software platform architecture described.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SAGE Aulne (Schéma d'Aménagement et de Gestion des Eaux) A water management planning and governance framework for the Aulne watershed, animated by EPAGA through its Commission Locale de l'Eau (CLE), defining water resource and aquatic environment policies.
• PAPI Aulne (Programme d'Actions de Prévention des Inondations) Flood prevention action program covering the Aulne watershed, aimed at protecting residents and property through risk diagnostics, nature-based solutions, and individual protection measures.
• Soutien d'étiage (Low-flow support) Low-flow support program managing water releases from the Saint-Michel reservoir at Brennilis to maintain adequate river discharge for drinking water supply and aquatic ecosystems during dry periods.
• Breizh Bocage Hedgerow restoration and bocage (traditional field boundary) regeneration program, co-funded by the Brittany Region, Finistère Department, and European FEADER funds, supporting farmers in planting and maintaining hedgerows.
• MAEC - Mesures Agro-Environnementales et Climatiques (PAEC Aulne-Elorn) Agro-environmental and climate measures (PAEC Aulne-Elorn) enabling farmers to contract five-year environmental commitments related to water quality, bocage, and biodiversity on the watershed.
• Natura 2000 Animation Management and animation of the Natura 2000 'Vallée de l'Aulne' site, including species protection (Atlantic salmon, great alose, freshwater pearl mussel, greater horseshoe bat) and habitat conservation initiatives.
• Suivi de la qualité de l'eau (Water Quality Monitoring) Water quality monitoring program conducting regular sampling and analysis across the watershed to track nitrate levels, pollutant concentrations, and ecological status of rivers.
• Diagnostic de vulnérabilité inondations (Flood Vulnerability Diagnostics) Free and confidential flood vulnerability diagnostics for homeowners and businesses in flood-prone areas, identifying protective measures and state-subsidized remediation options.
• Aires Terrestres Éducatives (ATE) Educational program accompanying schools in managing designated natural areas, with EPAGA supporting three schools (Pleyben, Saint-Ségal, Châteaulin) in terrestrial educational areas since 2021.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200% increase in Atlantic salmon juvenile populations (from 16 to 37 tacons per station) following pertuis opening program on the Aulne canalisée since 2014
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bretagne Vivante (SEPNB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term collaboration on pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) research and protection. Joint discovery in 2016 of the largest pearl mussel population in western France on the Ellez river. Annual population monitoring, size measurements, and habitat studies conducted jointly. Bretagne Vivante provides species expertise and volunteer coordination.
• Fédération de pêche du FinistèrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual salmon juvenile monitoring program on Aulne watershed spawning areas since 1997. Joint counting stations and data sharing on migratory fish populations. Collaboration on migratory fish passage improvement through pertuis opening program.
• EDF (Électricité de France)coreTechnology or IntegrationOperator of the Saint-Michel hydroelectric dam at Brennilis. EPAGA coordinates with EDF for drought support water releases from the reservoir to maintain minimum river flows downstream. EDF manages water release operations based on EPAGA's flow monitoring.
• FDGDON 29 (Fédération Départementale des Groupements de Défense contre les Organismes Nuisibles du Finistère)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for ragondin (nutria) trapping campaign coordination. FDGDON trains volunteer trappers, lends trapping cages, and manages logistics for invasive species control along watercourses. EPAGA has worked with FDGDON since 2015 for rodent population management.
• Groupe Mammalogique BretonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Great Rhinolophe (bat) population monitoring and habitat protection. Discovery of two maternity colonies at Châteaulin and Loqueffret in 2019 and 2021, with ongoing habitat protection work.
• OFB (Office Français de la Biodiversité)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner for Aires Terrestres Éducatives program. OFB pilots the national educational initiative that EPAGA implements locally with schools, providing program framework, educational resources, and national coordination.
• Radio EvasionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal radio partnership for environmental education and awareness. Radio interviews and podcasts covering water quality, EPAGA missions, and environmental topics. Provides media platform for reaching local community with educational content.
• EPCI members (CCPCP, CCHC, MAC, CCPCAM)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIntercommunal member organizations that EPAGA serves. Four EPCI structures covering the watershed territory participate in comité syndical governance and receive technical services including flood prevention, water quality management, and Natura 2000 animation.
• DREAL Bretagne (Direction Régionale de l'Environnement, de l'Aménagement et du Logement)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRegional environmental authority providing regulatory oversight, funding coordination, and technical guidance. SPC (Service de Prévision des Crues) operates within DREAL for flood forecasting and river monitoring.
• EPAB (Établissement Public du Bassin de l'Elorn)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of regional events including the 'Structurer une filière bois en Cornouaille' day. Similar basin organization for the Elorn watershed, collaborating on shared environmental initiatives.
• SILVALODETminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the woodland sector development event, representing local forestry stakeholders for bocage wood energy development.
• OUESCOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the woodland sector development event, participating in the bocage wood energy initiative alongside EPAB, SILVALODET, and EPAGA.
• AILEminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAssociation providing technical support to local communities for wood energy project design, implementation, and sizing for district heating systems.
• SCIC Energie Bois Sud CornouaïlleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative providing local wood valorization and sustainable hedgerow management services. Presented their local wood and sustainable hedgerow management model at the woodland sector event.
• Lycée de l'Aulne (Châteaulin)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural high school partner for environmental education events. EPAGA presents its métiers at the annual 'Jardiner, c'est naturel' event. Partnership for agricultural student engagement with environmental topics.
• Maison de l'Agriculture Biologique du FinistèreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'Jardiner, c'est naturel' event series, bringing together agricultural and environmental expertise for organic farming outreach.
• LPO Bretagne (Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBird protection organization collaborating on Aires Terrestres Éducatives programs, particularly for bird identification and nest box installation with school children at Saint-Ségal.
• Transistoc'h (local radio)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal radio producing podcast episodes showcasing Aires Terrestres Éducatives work at EPAGA partner schools, providing media coverage for environmental education achievements.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Institution d'Aménagement de la Vilaine (IAV): EPTB-equivalent public establishment managing the Vilaine watershed in Brittany. Comparable in mandate (water resource management, flood prevention, drought support) and operates the same public-territorial model as EPAGA, with member EPCI contributions and shared DREAL/Agence de l'eau oversight.
• EPAB - Établissement Public du Bassin de l'Elorn: Direct peer EPTB in Finistère, Brittany, managing the Elorn watershed. Collaborates with EPAGA on regional events (e.g., 'Structurer une filière bois en Cornouaille'). Operates the same French EPTB model with similar statutory governance, water quality monitoring, and Natura 2000 animation responsibilities.
• EPTB Charente: Similar-scale EPTB managing the Charente watershed in southwestern France. Comparable scope including flood prevention (PAPI), water quality monitoring, Natura 2000 animation, and SAGE governance. Direct functional analog to EPAGA at similar scale and funding structure.

Broad incumbents

• EPTB Seine Grands Lacs: Major French EPTB managing flood prevention and low-flow support infrastructure across the Seine basin. Operates large reservoirs (e.g., Lac d'Orient) analogous to EPAGA's Saint-Michel reservoir. Shares the drought-support/reservoir-management operational model with EPAGA.
• Office Français de la Biodiversité (OFB): National biodiversity agency that pilots the Aires Terrestres Éducatives program EPAGA implements locally. Provides national framework and resources for EPAGA's species protection work (Atlantic salmon, pearl mussel, bats). Acts as upstream national coordinator with EPAGA as local implementer.
• Agence de l'eau Loire-Bretagne: One of six French basin water agencies that fund and coordinate water policy across Brittany. EPAGA's member and primary regulatory counterparty through DREAL Bretagne. Provides funding and SDAGE framework that EPAGA implements at the sub-basin level.
• EPTB Loire: National-scale EPTB (Établissement Public Loire) managing the Loire river basin across multiple regions. Same statutory EPTB designation as EPAGA but operates at a much larger scale and serves as a federal-level coordinator for Loire basin water policy. Comparable governance model and SAGE animation mandate.

Regional players

• Syndicat mixte du bassin de l'Orne aval: Regional French watershed syndicate structure operating in Normandy. Comparable mandate of flood prevention, water quality, and Natura 2000 management at sub-basin level. Similar public-establishment governance model with EPCI member contributions.
• Syndicat de bassin de l'Elorn (SMBSE): Regional Brittany watershed syndicate operating in the Elorn basin alongside EPAB. Comparable scope in river contract management, water quality, and hydraulic infrastructure. Demonstrates the diversity of public watershed governance structures similar to EPAGA's EPTB model.

Emerging players

• Bretagne Vivante (SEPNB): Regional environmental NGO that is EPAGA's core biodiversity partner for pearl mussel and salmon protection. Operates volunteer-driven conservation programs overlapping with EPAGA's Natura 2000 mandate. Distinct legal form (association) but functionally complementary in species protection.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4Np2Ccl7YMTSeWVB-f5tSQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/Epagaaulne
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/epaga

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about EPAGA - Bassin versant de l'Aulne et de l'Hyères