Water restrictions begin in south-west France: who is affected?

Water usage restrictions are now in place in parts of three departments in western France, following a lack of late spring rainfall and warmer than usual temperatures.

Communes in Charente, Charente-Maritime, and Deux-Sèvres all face certain restrictions as fears of summer droughts increase.

The measures come despite record rainfall in winter, and above average water table levels as of the beginning of April. 

Measures in all three departments are currently at the second warning level, known as ‘alerte’.

Homeowners at this level face restrictions, including bans on refilling swimming pools or watering plants and vegetable patches during the day, using water from certain sources.

Farmers are also limited on the number of times they can water crops.

At higher levels (‘alerte renforcée’ or ‘crise’) all but essential water usage is banned for everyone in an affected area.

Restrictions for well- and river-water

Restrictions are currently limited only to water from wells and boreholes (puits and forage) as well as from rivers and above-ground free-flowing water.

There are currently no restrictions on tap water in the three departments, meaning it can still be used as normal in homes and gardens, including for filling swimming pools and cleaning cars. 

Plentiful winter rainfall replenished water tables across France, many of which are still at typical or above average levels this spring. 

However, while these aquifers – often used for sourcing tap water – remain at a good level, rainfall since February has been well below average.

So far in April 2026, only around 6.4 millimetres has fallen in the Charente area, only around 10% of the usual monthly average.

This, combined with warmer than usual temperatures, has had a more pronounced effect on water sources closer to ground level, such as wells and rivers that are now running low.

Exceptionally heavy rainfall in winter left soil waterlogged, preventing water from penetrating deeper underground, while warm spring temperatures have rapidly evaporated these reserves.

Currently, tap water restrictions are in place in parts of the Pyrénées-Orientales, Ain, and Aude departments.

How to check restrictions near you 

Water restrictions are issued on a commune-by-commune basis (not by the department), and are often determined by the source from which the commune receives its main water supply.

As a result, restrictions can vary considerably from one village or town to the next. 

The official source of information on water usage is the government’s ‘Vigieau’ website, which shows all restrictions in a given commune.

It provides an interactive map showing all restrictions across France, and allows you to type in your postcode to check any restrictions in your area.

Restrictions can be based on water from three sources: tap (robinet) rivers/free-flowing above-ground water, and wells and boreholes (puits / forages).

In addition, restrictions can differ between households, farmers / agricultural workers, professional companies, and local authorities. 

The website allows you to search restrictions for each situation.