French drought update: 40 departments on highest level of tap water restrictions
All but 13 departments have at least some restrictions in place
More than half of French departments have communes on the highest or second-highest level of tap water restrictions at the start of this week, as the country’s exceptional drought continues.
As of Tuesday morning (July 28), 40 departments had at least one commune facing crise level alerts, restricting all but essential water usage.
A further 28 had at least one commune on alerte renforcée or the second-highest level, and in many cases these restrictions spread across the entire department.
In a further 15 departments there are alerte restrictions in place in at least one commune, the first level of restrictions.
There are only 11 departments remaining where the highest warnings are vigilance (no restrictions but authorities ask residents to be cautious over water usage), and just two – Maine-et-Loire and Lot – where there are no tap restrictions or cautions in place.
However, restrictions on other water types are in place.
The maps below show the extent of the tap water restrictions. The first shows departments affected, with the second showing specific communes.
The second map highlights that restrictions are in place in a majority of communes in many departments.
Authorities have been warning for several weeks now that France is on the precipice of a water crisis, with drought conditions appearing earlier than usual.
Restrictions on river- and well-water usage are also in place across the majority of France.
Restrictions can change daily, and you can use the government’s VigiEau app to check exact restrictions in your area – see more in our article here.
We have also recently answered reader queries on the water restrictions here, including more information about restriction types, filling up pools, and collecting rainwater.
