Water use restrictions have been introduced in several parts of France following an unusually dry and warm spring, with officials warning that conditions could worsen in the coming weeks.
The latest measures affect rivers in Dordogne (although other parts of France already have measures in place - see below), where authorities have placed 10 waterways under drought surveillance after a week of exceptionally high temperatures and a prolonged lack of rainfall.
The restrictions come despite heavy rainfall earlier in the year.
Vigilance is an early warning level aimed at encouraging water conservation.
Alerte introduces the first mandatory restrictions on non-essential water use, such as watering gardens or filling swimming pools.
Alerte renforcée brings tighter limits for households, businesses and farmers, with significant reductions in water withdrawals.
Crise, the highest level, generally bans all non-essential water use and allows water to be reserved for priority needs such as drinking water, public health and emergency services.
“The sudden rise in temperatures and absence of rainfall are causing river flows to fall,” the Dordogne prefecture said, warning that smaller watercourses are the first to be affected.
It added that soil moisture levels at the end of May are already below those seen in typical dry years, raising the risk of a seasonal record drought.
The measures in Dordogne apply mainly to water taken directly from rivers and other surface water sources, rather than to mains tap water supplied to households.
Restrictions concern abstraction from affected waterways for uses such as filling pools, irrigation, vehicle washing and cleaning.
In some communes, additional limits can also apply to wells and boreholes, depending on the local supply source, but these are set separately and vary by area.
For commune-specific rules, residents are advised to consult Vigieau or ask their mairie.
Other areas, including the southern Dombes region (Ain), are under alerte renforcée, where drinking water use is significantly reduced for households, businesses and farmers.
The following departments are also on the lowest level of alert - 'vigilance':
Another way to verify how the restrictions impact you is to consult your prefecture's website, which should list all communes affected and provide local rules.
Groundwater levels remain mixed
Despite a wet winter in many regions, groundwater levels across France remain uneven.
As of May 29, 32 departments were at average levels, 34 were moderately low, 12 moderately high and seven low, according to Info-Sécheresse data based on Eaufrance monitoring.
The lowest levels are recorded in Meuse, Haute-Marne, Doubs, Haute-Loire, Creuse, Corrèze and Haute-Vienne.
The contrast highlights the difference between groundwater reserves and surface water systems such as rivers and streams, which respond more quickly to heat and low rainfall.
