Many more departments in mainland France are affected by measures to restrict water use due to drought this year, compared to spring 2022, i.e. twenty departments against eight, according to government figures consulted on Wednesday. The “crisis” level has been reached in territories located in three departments (Bouches-du-Rhône, Gard, Var), according to data from the Ministry of Ecological Transition consulted by AFP. None were concerned a year ago. In these areas, the watering of green spaces, the washing of cars in stations or the filling of private swimming pools are thus prohibited. Irrigation bans also apply to farmers.
Such crisis measures must also come into force on May 10 in the Pyrénées-Orientales, indicated the prefect of the department at the end of April. Nine departments are affected at least partially by an “enhanced alert” on Wednesday (against only three a year ago) and eight by a simple “alert” (against five). These thresholds imply more or less drastic restrictions. The watering of lawns is for example prohibited in “enhanced alert”, but the restriction only concerns the time slot 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in simple “alert”.
“France is experiencing a worrying meteorological drought. As of April 1, 75% of groundwater levels still remain below monthly normals, ”recalled the Minister for Ecological Transition, Christophe Béchu, in a statement sent to AFP. “Since February, my request has not changed: to anticipate the summer of 2023, the prefects must not have their hands trembling when restriction decisions are necessary”, he underlined. The Geological and Mining Research Bureau (BRGM) warned in mid-April of the “proven” risk of summer drought for certain regions. The rains of March were not enough to recharge the water tables in France, 75% of which remain at moderately low or very low levels, he noted then.