France’s groundwater levels low but not worrying

It comes despite seven communes in Corrèze, Limousin, bringing in water by tanker for 4,000 residents in August.

Water restrictions have been applied to more than 80 departments since June, some at ‘critical level,’ meaning farmers cannot water crops and residents can only use water for drinking and hygiene for most of the day.

However the Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières said ground water levels, which provide 68% of domestic water, often work in six to seven-year cycles and are set to rise this winter.

Violent storms in August did not help as rain ran over hard, dry ground rather than soaking in.

The worst-affected areas are Alsace, Limousin, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne.