The French are encouraged to save water where possible as drought problems increase across the country.
About fifteen departments are already on alert or on drought alert following a particularly dry winter. When a department is placed under alert, it means that the inhabitants of specific areas are required to reduce their water consumption for non-essential purposes.
Drought alerts are currently affecting parts of: Maine-et-Loire, Loire-Atlantique, Loiret, Var, Vienne, Deux-Sèvres, Charente-Maritime, Charente, Ain, Drôme, Alpes-Maritimes, Bouches-du-Rhône and Vaucluse, where the rainfall deficit is 70%.
Ille-et-Vilaine and Indre are also warned
“It’s up to everyone to pay attention to the water they use, so as not to waste it unnecessarily”, explains Violaine Bault, hydrologist at the Geological and Mining Research Bureau (BRGM).
“The recharge of the groundwater table was in deficit this winter. So a large part of them are now below normal levels,” she told Franceinfo.
She added that the situation is “very varied” depending on the region. With groundwater in the southwest, Occitania and the north doing better. While others, particularly in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and around Charente, are in a worrying state.
We can already see the consequences, with prefectural decrees limiting the use of water. And it should be noted that the majority of the major groundwater tables in France regulate the flow of rivers.
So during the summer, when it’s not raining, if there’s still water in the streams and rivers, it’s because it comes from underground. Thus, if the water tables are at low levels, they struggle to supply the waterways, which are dwindling and have an impact on the fauna and flora.
Even if France received significant amounts of rain next week, it would already be too late to have an effect on the water table, Ms Bault added. Even if it would save farmers from having to irrigate their land.
A drought that was felt by the hot weather this week
France’s dry soils aren’t helped by the 25-30C temperature averages that are being felt across the country this week.
Wednesday May 11 is expected to be the hottest day of the week. With temperatures climbing up to 30°C across the country, standing at 29°C in Bordeaux, 28°C in Lyon and Tours and 27°C in Paris.
Burgundy and the Pyrenean foothills could experience temperatures of 31-32°C.
The day will start cloudy between Pays de Loire and Poitou-Charentes but the sky will soon clear for a sunny afternoon. From the Atlantic coast to the English Channel, the grayness can persist longer.
This week’s weather is expected to continue through the weekend and possibly into next week. Worsening a drought that is already causing problems for farmers across the country.
The lack of water, coupled with the heat, “will have an impact on cereal production”, warned the Ministry of Agriculture. “Winter crops that are currently in their development phase are starting to experience situations that will affect their yield. »
France has just had its driest start to the year since 2012. Between September 2021 and April 2022, France’s rainfall deficit was estimated at 19%. While the groundwater deficit was 20%, according to the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
The ministers have therefore decided to increase the government fund for farmers by an additional 20 million euros.
Vigilance is the lowest level of drought restriction in France. It consists of raising awareness and encouraging individuals to reduce their water consumption.
The next level is the alert. This results in a reduction in the amount of water that can be used for agriculture and for watering green spaces such as golf courses.
It is followed by a heightened alert, which reinforces the above restrictions and could also result in the temporary prohibition of certain uses.
The final level of restriction is crisis. Under which water can only be used for essential purposes such as drinking, cooking or bathing.
In times of drought, the Ministry of Agriculture can decide to recognize a state of agricultural calamity and compensate farmers for up to 30% of their destroyed crops.
You can find more details of the drought warnings and/or restrictions in place across France on the Ministry of Ecology’s Propluvia website. You can also find out about the restrictions in place in your department by going to your prefecture’s website.
You can save water by:
– Taking care not to let the taps run.
– Not washing his car and limiting the watering of his garden.
– Putting your washing machine and dishwasher in eco mode.
– Collecting falling rainwater to water your garden later.