Intense drought forces France to impose water-use restrictions
Ministry: 99 departments are at warning level, 67 in crisis and 21 on increased alert; restrictions cover gardens, pools, car washing and crop irrigation.
About 70 percent of France’s territory is now subject to water-use restrictions after an intense drought driven by repeated heatwaves over the past three months, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition announced today.
The ministry said 99 departments — covering areas across almost every region of the country — are at least at a warning level for water use. Of those, 67 departments are described as being in a crisis situation and 21 are on heightened alert.
How restrictions are being applied
The measures vary with the declared alert level and target both private and agricultural uses: restrictions cover garden and public-green irrigation, filling swimming pools, washing cars and irrigation of crops. Local prefectures set the exact prohibitions and enforcement steps depending on conditions in each department.
Authorities linked the immediate cause to consecutive heatwaves this summer and warned that longer-term climate trends are increasing pressure on water supplies across the country.
In a statement, the ministry said that "while France is experiencing an exceptionally intense drought, the effects of climate change continue to exacerbate pressures on water resources."
Photo: press material from the event
