Quebec City, mars, 16 2026 - The Carrefour de l'eau takes another decisive step forward with the announcement of nearly $3 million in major funding from the Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie (MEIE) to accelerate the project's deployment.
This structuring support will enable us to take a major step towards the realization of this unique center of expertise, and position the Carrefour de l'eau as a world leader in innovation and sustainable water management.
A milestone in the evolution of Carrefour de l'eau
The raison d'être and relevance of Carrefour de l'eau were confirmed over the past year with the official launch of the project, the start-up of activities and the deployment of its technology showcase. This major commitment now enables us to build on the momentum, broaden the scope of activities and amplify the impact, while accelerating the development of technological solutions and the growth of innovative companies in the water sector. It will also help stimulate cutting-edge research, change paradigms and promote awareness and education on water-related issues.
Quotes
"Capitale-Nationale is host to a number of promising initiatives that are generating major advances in sectors of the future. The Carrefour de l'eau is an eloquent demonstration of this. It will foster the creation of an ecosystem based on innovation and economic development in the water sector, through the development of cutting-edge technologies. I salute the great mobilization of the community through this project!" - Jean-François Simard, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region
"Water is the blue gold of Quebec and many of our regions, including the Capitale-Nationale. Our government recognizes its social, economic and environmental value, which is why it is proud to be associated with the Carrefour de l'eau project. It will provide regional stakeholders with an innovative platform for measuring the impact of future water initiatives - Eric Girard, Minister for Regional Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region
"The Carrefour de l'eau is a brilliant illustration of our ability, right here at home, to imagine, design and deploy technologies capable of responding to global issues such as water management and its growing scarcity. Quebec City welcomes this major milestone organization, bringing it closer to large-scale deployment." - Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Québec City
"This commitment represents a major step forward for Carrefour de l'eau. It shows great confidence in our vision, and gives us the means to accelerate the implementation of this unique project. Together, with our partners, we are building an ecosystem that will transform our relationship with water and position Quebec City and Quebec as a world benchmark in the sustainable management of this essential resource." - Alexandre Guindon, General Manager, Carrefour de l'eau and 2 Degrés
"This financing is an important milestone in the progress of this project. It brings us a step closer to our goal of establishing a global hub for wastewater treatment, reclamation and recycling. Water treatment and recycling technologies are a concrete response to the challenges of water supply and resilience. By developing such projects here in Québec City, we are not only strengthening our water autonomy, but also our leadership in sustainable innovation, for the benefit of the entire population of Québec and Canada" Frédéric Dugré, Chairman of the Board, Carrefour de l'eau and President and CEO, H2O Innovation
"The Port of Québec is delighted to have reached this new milestone for the Carrefour de l'eau. This funding confirms the relevance and ambition of this structuring project, which places innovation and sustainable water management at the heart of our shared vision. As a founding partner, we are proud to contribute to this initiative, which will strengthen Quebec City's leadership on the international scene and pave the way for concrete solutions to better protect and enhance this essential resource." - Olga Farman, President and CEO, Port of Québec
"I'd like to thank the MEIE for supporting this project. This funding will enable us to initiate research activities in close proximity to industry, and to test our innovation model with Carrefour de l'eau partners, in order to accelerate the transition from idea to market. It will also enable us to lay the foundations for a new joint research unit with Cteau, to be set up in the best possible conditions in an innovation facility outside the university walls - a first." - Luc-Alain Giraldeau, General Manager, Institut national de la recherche scientifique
"The Carrefour de l'eau creates the essential conditions for innovation to move rapidly from the laboratory to the field. With its technology showcase and our optimization, validation and demonstration capabilities, the Cteau helps prove the value of advanced treatment solutions. The support of the MEIE is decisive in moving these projects towards large-scale deployment." - Edith Laflamme, General Manager, Water Technology Centre
"This announcement marks a key step towards the concrete realization of the Carrefour de l'eau, a project where architecture accompanies the deployment of innovative and sustainable solutions. Patriarche is delighted to contribute to a hub that will bring together research, businesses and citizens around the challenges of water." - Luc Bélanger, Architect and Managing Partner, Patriarche
About Carrefour de l'eau
The result of a promising partnership between the City of Quebec, the Port of Quebec, H2O Innovation, the Institut national de la recherche scientifique, 2 Degrés, Patriarche Architecture and Cteau, the Carrefour de l'eau brings together under one roof all the resources needed to develop new technologies, train researchers and create innovative companies in the water sector. The future complex will also house a water recycling plant capable of serving companies that consume large quantities of drinking water for industrial purposes, as well as an interpretation and awareness center open to the general public.
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Source : Carrefour de l'eau
For further information, please contact Morgane Salussolia
2 Degrés - Crossroads of water
581 980-3523
