Sentinelles des rivières: underwater depollution and knowledge of the aquatic environments in Lyon

The initiative supported by Odysseus 3.1 aims to sustainably protect aquatic environments by acting directly at the source of pollution: rivers and lakes.

For 8 years, the association has mobilized volunteer divers and citizens to carry out underwater remediation operations, removing several tons of invisible waste from the surface. These actions are accompanied by work to characterize waste in order to identify its origin and better understand the dynamics of pollution.

The “River Sentinels” project proposes to structure and amplify these actions at the scale of a pilot territory (Rhône / Saône and associated water bodies), by combining:

regular underwater pollution cleanup operations,
the production of usable environmental data,
awareness-raising activities for the general public and schools.

By reconnecting citizens to their rivers and making the invisible visible, this initiative contributes to better management of aquatic environments and biodiversity preservation.