Every three years, since 1992, the Graie organises in Lyon, one of the main international conferences on sustainable techniques and strategies in urban water management, Novatech. The co-organisers are the Urban Community of Lyon, the Rhone-Alps Region, the French Water Agencies, Eurydice 92 association, INSA-Lyon Scientific and Technical University, and ASTEE (IWA French correspondent).

Novatech 2007 is the 6th edition of this conference. It will take place in June 2007, 25 - 28, at Eurexpo, Lyon Convention Centre, and will welcome more than 500 delegates from all over the world.

The general theme deals with sustainable and alternative solutions for management of wet-weather flows (stormwater and CSOs) in urban and suburban areas.

The research of sustainable solutions to urban water management in wet weather is relevant only if it takes into account the appropriate spatial scales and all the stakeholders concerned. This issue covers a broader field than just drainage and drainage professionals. That is why the 6th Novatech conference will deal with three complementary dimensions of urban water management during wet weather:

• Integrated approaches to urban planning;
• Innovative technologies;
• Integrated approaches to the protection and enhancement of receiving water bodies.