-
France set to pass emergency ‘budget law’: is it good or bad for your finances?
The country will effectively be without a budget from 2025, with knock-on effects for individuals and companies
-
EasyJet announces nine new flight routes from France including to UK
A service from Bordeaux to Birmingham is among the new announcements
-
French weekend weather outlook December 14 - 15: gloomy and chilly in the north
Cloudy skies are expected to dominate in the north, but in the south temperatures will still reach double figures
Extra chlorine in tap water in France due to Covid-19
If you think you have noticed a change in the taste of your tap water in France recently, you are almost certainly right, as some water suppliers have increased the chlorine levels recently. We explain why...
Over the past few weeks, as many businesses have closed due to the Covid-19 crisis, in some regions, overall water consumption has dropped.
As a result, more water has been sitting stagnant in pipes for longer than normal, prompting water suppliers in some areas to increase chlorine levels in the water, to ensure that it stays clean for longer.
This means that the water might taste slightly different, and some people may also report skin feeling dryer after showering or hand washing.
Not all regions are affected, but the phenomenon has been especially noted in the Grand Est region, said northern regional newspaper La Voix du Nord.
In the commune of Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines, between Strasbourg and Mulhouse, a statement from local technical services management said: “Normally, we see 0.15mg/L at the exit of the disinfection station, whereas now, we should be at between 0.3 and 0.5mg/L.”
The water is still 100% safe to drink and use.
The chlorine has been added due to the drop in water consumption, not because there is a risk from Covid-19 itself.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also confirmed that there is no risk of being contaminated with Covid-19 through tap water that is normally safe to drink (as it is in France).
National water centre Le Centre d’Information de l’Eau has also said: “Several methods of disinfection - such as chlorination - eliminate all viruses, including coronavirus.”
As a result, tap water remains safe to drink in France, and it is not necessary to use bottled water. If you are able to taste the higher chlorine levels, you can get rid of the taste by leaving tap water in a jug or container for an hour or two before drinking.
Read more: Brittany second home owners force Covid-19 water ban
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France