French drought update: all departments face tap water limits or warnings
There are 48 departments where toughest restrictions are in place as new heatwave only set to worsen historic drought
Every single mainland department in France has now issued restrictions or warnings over using tap water usage, as a historic drought continues to grip the country.
It comes as France faces another heatwave and a powerful heat dome effect covering much of the country, which will only further limit water availability.
Despite rainfall forecast at the end of the week and weekend, dried-out soils means the amount of water that permeates to underground reservoirs may be limited, with restrictions likely to be in place until at least the end of summer.
Nearly 50 departments on ‘crisis’ restrictions
There are only five departments where no warnings above vigilance are in place. These do not come with any restrictions but ask residents to be careful over tap water usage.
All other departments have at least one commune where restrictions are in place.
There are just 11 departments with alerte restrictions implemented in at least one commune, the first possible and least restrictive limits. These are typically restrictions on activities such as watering gardens or cleaning cars during certain hours of the day, or filling a swimming pool.
A further 32 have at least one commune on alerte renforcée, where restrictions become tougher, usually implementing a permanent ban on activities. This can also include bans on topping up swimming pools with water.
It means that there are 48 departments where at least one commune is facing crise level restrictions. These are the highest possible where all but essential water usage is banned.
The maps below show restrictions on a departmental, then communal level.
Check official restrictions on ‘VigiEau’
These maps show only tap water restrictions for residents.
However, there are also limits in place on well- and river-water, with around half of France’s small streams drying up.
There are also different restrictions for business, agricultural enterprises, and local authorities.
The official VigiEau website shows restrictions of all types via several interactive maps, and allows you to check on limits in your commune through your address.
Read more about how to use the website in our article here.
You can also read our article answering popular questions about drought restrictions here.
