City in Brittany becomes first to limit the size of swimming pools in France

Swimming pools in Rennes now have to conform to new maximum size rules as the city looks to limit disruption by droughts, after a first of its kind rule change in France.

An update to the Breton city’s local planning code (Plan local d'urbanisme, or PLU) implemented on Thursday (June 26) prevents the construction of swimming pools larger than 25m3 in size within the city.

This correlates to a swimming pool that is 6m x 4m in size with a depth of around one metre. 

In contrast, the average swimming pool size in France is 40m3. 

Rennes is the first city to implement such a ruling, but there are several regulations in place for the construction of a swimming pool, particularly if larger than 10m3 in size, which you can read about here. 

‘Political, not environmental, choice’

Backers of the rule change including Rennes mayor Nathalie Appéré of the Socialist Party believe it is a necessary change for a city facing longer and more severe drought shortages.

Like many areas of France the city has been facing drought restrictions since mid-June as a lack of rainfall in certain areas earlier in the year threatens a prolonged summer drought. 

Rennes also saw highs of 37C in a heatwave that covered Brittany earlier this month, at least 10C warmer than average for the season. 

In turn, it is looking to manage its water supply. 

Summer rains – more common in Brittany than other parts of France – fail to refill underground water tables as they struggle to reach below the surface level, meaning other measures must be prioritised. 

The new rule has come under criticism however, with some believing it less than useful and overbearing of the city.

“Do we have to standardise everything? If people want to have an Olympic-sized swimming pool in their garden what does it matter?” said journalist Olivier Truchot. 

“‘When you fill your pool, you no longer have to empty it and refill it. We have come a long way in terms of water consumption in swimming pools. This is ideological… we attack swimming pools as we do cars,” he added. 

Constructors in the sector agree. 

“This is a political ecological decision,” said Joëlle Pulinx of the Fédération des professionnels de la piscine et du spa (quoted in RMC). 

“Normally, a swimming pool is only filled once. Our profession is responsible and tries to have the smallest possible environmental impact,” she added. 

Despite there being some 3.6 million swimming pools in France, the federation says only around 0.08% of France’s total water usage is linked to pools. 

What do you think about the new rule, should more areas implement size restrictions for swimming pools or is it too restrictive for homeowners? Let us know your thoughts via email: feedback@connexionfrance.com