Drinking tap water restricted for children in south-west France communes
Haute Garonne prefecture says the measure is precautionary and due to high chlorate levels
Tap water in France is now being monitored for chlorates, which can pose a risk to children
Hanneke Wetzer/Shutterstock
High concentrations of chlorate has led to restrictions on drinking tap water in more than 30 communes* in south-west France.
The Haute-Garonne prefecture announced the temporary ban on Thursday (January 15) as a ‘precautionary measure’ to protect young children, it said, following chlorate levels exceeding recommended maximum thresholds.
The ban applies to babies and children weighing 14kg or less. It is not in place for adults, who can continue to drink and use water directly from the tap.
New regulations introduced at the start of 2026 saw chlorates included in a list of substances for which drinking water must be monitored, with thresholds on chlorate levels introduced.
Initial tests on water supplies from the Garonne river and its tributaries – used as a source for water in the communes – recorded above-limit chlorate levels on January 8.
On January 10, the prefecture authorised the use of emergency water from the Fousseret water treatment plant in the communes, however to ensure emergency reserves remained available, restrictions on tap water consumption were introduced on January 15 .
“Pending further test results, a distribution of bottled water packs is being organised in conjunction with the municipalities affected by this consumption restriction,” the prefecture said.
This bottled water must be used for drinking and preparing food for young children. It is unclear how long the restrictions will remain in place.
‘Not an immediate health risk’
The source of the chlorate was traced back to a paper mill in Saint-Gaudens.
“State services therefore imposed immediate precautionary measures on the company on January 10. Given the continued exceedances observed in the natural environment, a prefectural order to comply was issued,” said the prefecture.
The ban on consuming tap water is a precautionary measure, as drinking the water does not constitute an immediate risk, but the prefecture says the measure is “proportionate to the level of the observed exceedance.”
"It is not an immediate health risk, but a potential risk for young children weighing less than 14 kg, in the context of repeated and prolonged exposure.”
Long-term exposure to chlorates can lead to iodine absorption issues for children, particularly those with iodine deficiencies.
Chlorate is most-commonly consumed through drinking water, but can also be present in fruit, vegetables and other fresh produce.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends a daily maximum of 3 micrograms per kg (µg/kg) of body weight per day in consumption through food and water.
While a high intake of chlorates can be toxic to humans of all ages, the maximum threshold before illness is reached has never been recorded through dietary actions (eating and drinking) for a person of any age.
*The list of communes affected as of January 16 are: Bérat, Bois-De-La-Pierre, Bragayrac, Capens, Castelnau-Picampeau, Casties-Labrande, Empeaux, Forgues, Le Fousseret, Fustignac, Gratens, Lafitte-Vigordane, Lahage, Lautignac, Longages, Lussan-Adeilhac, Marignac-Lasclares, Mondavezan, Mones, Montastruc-Savès, Montégut-Bourjac, Montgras, Montoussin, Peyssies, Le Pin-Murelet, Plagnole, Polastron, Pouy-De-Touges, Sabonnères, Saint-Elix-Le-Château, Saint-Thomas and Sajas.
