Residents in four southern France villages told not to drink tap water due to arsenic levels
Routine testing found levels of toxic metal to be higher than legal limit
Residents in four villages in Gard in southern France have been told not to drink tap water after routine testing found arsenic levels to be above the legal limit.
The restriction, which affects the communes of Saint-André-de-Majencoules, Les Plantiers, L'Estréchure and Saumane, near Pont d'Hérault, came into force on July 17 after tests by the regional health agency (ARS) detected arsenic at a concentration of 10.4 micrograms per litre. The regulatory limit is 10 micrograms per litre.
Bottled water is being distributed to residents while further samples, due to be taken on Monday (July 20), are analysed.
Precautionary measure
Local authorities stressed the restriction is precautionary and that the water remains safe for washing, cleaning and laundry. The advice applies to drinking, brushing teeth and preparing food.
"We were told the water was not fit for drinking," said Christophe Boisson, mayor of Saint-André-de-Majencoules and president of the Causse-Aigoual-Cévennes community of communes.
"If you drank a small amount it is not too serious, but as a precaution we are distributing bottled water. There is no problem using it for washing, cleaning or everyday household tasks."
The cause has not been confirmed, but Mr Boisson said prolonged dry conditions may have contributed. Arsenic occurs naturally in the ground and concentrations can increase when groundwater levels fall and water is drawn from deeper underground.
Naturally occurring arsenic is found in parts of the Cévennes, while other areas of the region continue to deal with contamination linked to historic mining.
"Arsenic is a substance that exists naturally everywhere," he said. "It may emerge when there is less water and the pumping draws from deeper through the gravel and sand."
Local hotels and restaurants have also switched to bottled water for customers and food preparation while the restrictions remain in place.
If new samples comply with drinking water standards, the restrictions are expected to be lifted.
Wider concerns over water quality
The incident comes just weeks after one of France's largest doctors' organisations called for tighter monitoring of drinking water pollution, warning that contamination by a range of substances poses a growing public health challenge.
The Conférence Nationale des URPS Médecins Libéraux said recent analysis showed that 87% of France's tap water network complied with regulatory standards.
The organisation highlighted PFAS "forever chemicals", pesticide residues and microplastics as its main concerns, and called for stricter monitoring, improved water treatment and greater support for organic farming to reduce pollution at source.
It estimated that around 19 million people - almost 30% of the population - received tap water that failed to meet quality standards at least once during 2024.
