Close to one in five mainland French departments have moderately high groundwater levels at the start of September, new data reveals.
At the same time, 27 are facing lower than average levels and a further 30 remain around average, following a warm summer with little rainfall.
Only one department, Lozère, has very low levels.
It points towards disruptive yet not fatal summer for groundwater levels, many of which should be able to replenish provided autumn rains reach usual levels.
West and south see lower levels
The information comes from the Info Sécheresse website, based on available data of nearly 2,000 water sources (piézomètre) collected by EauFrance.
Unlike the monthly round-up provided by the BRGM (Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières) that covers levels by water table, the map below looks at the information on a departmental basis.
Normandy and parts of central France – as well as the south-east – are where the above-average levels are concentrated.
In contrast, western France and parts of the south are where lower levels were recorded.
The eight departments with the lowest levels were spread throughout the west, centre, and south.
Ad
The BRGM report is expected later this month.
Despite an end to the summer and the relatively strong levels of most water tables, drought conditions remain in place across hundreds of communes.
In parts of southern and central France they have reached the highest possible level (crise), with these warnings still in place at the start of September.
Previous reports from the BRGM state that one of the reasons water levels dropped less than in recent years despite the hot summer is due to less water consumption, particularly through restrictions.
Read our article to find out about drought conditions near you.
