France’s groundwater levels continue to fall, with 92% of sites affected
Dry conditions are putting pressure on groundwater reserves – see the levels in your area on our map
Published
Groundwater levels are continuing to fall across France, with 92% of monitoring sites recording lower levels on August 15, according to the Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM).
The BRGM also found that 64% of sites had groundwater levels below their usual level for August.
The decline follows a prolonged period of hot and dry weather, with little effective rainfall to replenish underground water reserves.
The BRGM said groundwater reserves in Limousin, the limestone aquifers of Jura and those in the Côtes des Bars are areas where levels are particularly low.
Why are groundwater levels falling?
The BRGM said the decline was linked to a lack of effective rainfall during the second half of July and the first half of August.
Soils are now very dry, while the limited rain that has fallen, often during thunderstorms, has provided little benefit to vegetation.
Florence Habets, president of the Scientific Council of the Seine-Normandy River Basin Committee, previously told The Connexion that the combination of heat and dry soils was making it particularly difficult for rainfall to reverse the drought.
“The heatwaves have dried out the soils,” she said.
“To end a drought, the soils need to become wet again,” Ms Habets said. “Vegetation is thirsty and quickly absorbs the available water. We need rainfall over several days to properly rehydrate the ground.”
Recent storms in parts of southern and south-eastern France may provide some local rainfall, but their effect on groundwater cannot yet be assessed.
Heavy rainfall over a short period does not necessarily replenish groundwater. After a prolonged dry spell, soils can become so dry that they struggle to absorb large amounts of water quickly.
Instead, much of the rain can run off the surface, increasing the risk of flooding rather than reaching underground water reserves.
Lower temperatures could nevertheless help reduce pressure on groundwater by cutting demand for irrigation and drinking water.
For now, the latest BRGM figures show that groundwater reserves remain under pressure, with the coming weeks likely to be important in determining whether the situation begins to stabilise.
You can check the groundwater level in your area using the map below.
