Drought map: tap water restrictions tighten in France

Water restriction rules have been tightened across France, with residents being urged to check tap water rules in their area.

On Monday (July 13) all but six departments now have at least one commune facing restrictions on tap water usage or are otherwise advising residents to be careful over tap water consumption due to the risk of restrictions being implemented.

Of these, 23 departments – mostly in central France and the south of the country – have at least one commune facing the most restrictive crise alert.

In the Creuse and Haute-Vienne departments, essentially all communes are at the crise level, meaning tough limits in place for almost everyone.

At this stage, tap water usage is generally restricted to priority uses such as drinking water, healthcare and civil protection. Non-essential domestic use, including filling private pools or washing vehicles, are typically banned.

There are 24 departments with at least one commune on alerte (the first level of restrictions) and a further 25 on alerte renforcée, the second-highest level. 

Currently, 18 departments are on vigilance, with no official restrictions in place but authorities urging residents to be cautious over tap water usage.

A third major heatwave and drought conditions following a lack of rainfall have combined to put pressure on France’s water reserves.

Much of France’s underground reservoirs – the primary source for tap water – were at an average or below average level at the start of July, reported the Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières (BRGM) in its latest report.

In the north-east and centre of France, certain major basins are well below-average, hence tougher restrictions in these areas.

In addition, basins across almost all of the country are lower than at this point last summer, fuelling fears of further restrictions. 

Check limits near you

As a reminder, restrictions are also in place on water derived from rivers and wells, with these limits being different to those on tap water usage. 

Exact restrictions also differ based on whether the water is being used for personal/domestic purposes, agriculture workers or farmers, other business, or by a local authority. 

Restrictions are given at a communal level (based on the water source) and not departmental, meaning the exact limits can differ greatly between two bordering communes. 

In addition, not all communes implement restrictions in the same way – for example, one area may bring in a total ban on watering gardens, whereas another may not, and a third only limit this practice only during certain hours.

You should therefore use the government’s interactive VigiEau website to check exact restrictions in your area, by entering your postcode, and check out our article here for tips on how to use it.

Alongside the use in gardens, common restrictions include for washing cars at home, topping up or filling swimming pools with water, and cleaning outdoor areas such as roofs and driveways.