Water-use restrictions lifted for some households in the Pyrénées-Orientales
Rainfall replenishes reservoirs but bans still remain in northern areas
Restrictions on activities such as watering plants have been in place for more than two years in parts of the Pyrénées-Orientales department
J.J. Gouin / Shutterstock
Persistent heavy rainfall in the south of France has resulted in water restrictions being lifted for the first time in more than two years in parts of the Pyrénées-Orientales.
Residents in some areas are now allowed to water their gardens, fill swimming pools (should they wish) and wash their vehicles at home following the end of water-use bans.
The departmental prefecture made the announcement this week following higher than usual rainfall in recent weeks, culminating in a heavy downpour last weekend.
Warnings to stay vigilant over water usage persist, however, and not all areas have seen restrictions lifted as reservoirs in northern areas of the department remain critically low.
Historic three-year drought
The Pyrénées-Orientales is facing a historic three-year drought, as a continued lack of rainfall has kept underground reservoirs at critically-low levels.
Annual rainfall has remained considerably below average, and sporadic periods of rain have not managed to replenish reservoirs, with rainfall either too light or falling in the wrong season to adequately penetrate underground into the aquifers.
Reservoirs usually fill in the winter when damper soil allows rainwater to penetrate deeper underground.
The lack of sufficient rainfall led to much of the department facing the toughest water restrictions – known as crise level – including a ban on any excess water usage.
These restrictions exceptionally lasted throughout the winter period, compared to other areas that have recently faced summer droughts but seen water bans dropped when the season ended.
In October 2025, there were concerns that the drought would continue into 2026 after the rainy season began ‘in deficit’.
Over the period, local authorities have attempted several measures to conserve dwindling water reserves, including banning new swimming pools of all types.
Bans may return if water levels drop
Departmental authorities have based the easing of restrictions on areas where reservoirs and river basins have seen sustained improvements.
“The flow rates of the Têt, Tech, and Agly rivers are now back to normal,” said the prefecture on Monday.
“The Vinça and Agly dams have reached their maximum authorised capacity. However, this rainfall has not had a uniform impact on groundwater resources,” it added.
“The Têt aquifers are showing a positive response, but the levels of the aquifers along the northern coast and in the Aspres-Réart area remain particularly low.”
Residents can use the official VigiEau website to check restrictions in their commune. As a reminder, water usage rules are set at communal level, and can differ between private and professional use as well as water origin (rivers, wells, tap).
Our article here explains the system in more detail.
“These relaxations do not mean that we should abandon all sense of responsibility,” said prefect Pierre Regnault de La Mothe to local media outlet ICI Roussillon.
“We must continue to conserve water at home. We will monitor the situation closely. If new tensions arise in certain areas, I will not hesitate to reimpose certain restrictions.”
