Water restrictions in place in 51 French departments

Water restrictions are in place in 51 departments across France, with “crisis” levels reached in areas of 18 departments.

Local authorities have issued a total of 102 water restriction decrees.

"Crisis level" has been reached in parts of 18 departments, meaning that - in particular, very localised, areas - water use is only allowed for priority users with primary authority to use them.

To be certain of the level of water restriction in your area, you can check the prefectoral decrees for the affected areas on the website Propluvia, an online tool created by the minister for Ecology.

The map below shows the highest level of drought alert issued in each department. This does not necessarily mean that such restrictions are imposed department-wide.

The levels are “Vigilance” (grey on the Propluvia map), encouraging businesses and the public to save water; “Alerte” (yellow), meaning a 50% reduction in agriculture water use, restrictions in nautical leisure activities, and time limits on activities such as watering the grass or filling your pool.

The “Alerte Renforcée” (orange) means even more restrictions on agriculture; a limit on garden watering; and no activities such as car washing. “Crise” (red) indicates a stoppage of all non-priority use of water, with only water used for urgent healthcare, drinking, or national security permitted.

The Vosges, Haute-Saône, Cantal and Landes departments have this week been placed on 'yellow' alert, forcing restrictions on agricultural use, and bans on watering gardens or golf courses at certain times. Car-washing is also restricted.

Subscriber article: France faces long summer of drought

The map below shows the areas in which particular water restrictions are in place. Individual departments may have a number of different alert levels at any given time.

The Mayenne, Charente, Rhône and Aveyron have this week moved from yellow to the higher orange alert.

Subscriber article: France’s water supplies very low