Drought alerts raised in france: where is impacted?

A LACK OF RAINFALL MEANS SOME WATER TABLES ARE AT LOW LEVELS, SEE ANY RESTRICTIONS IN YOUR AREA Many departments in southern France are facing drought warnings despite rainfall over the

winter.  The Bouches-du-Rhône department implemented warnings for drought conditions on Wednesday (February 5) due to low groundwater levels, particularly the Crau water table. Basins in the

area are usually replenished by winter rains before filling up further in spring and summer as snow from Alpine mountains flows into the Durance river and  makes its way underground. 

However, less rainfall than usual means the water tables are at lower levels than normally seen, the prefecture has announced, and are dropping at a level “more rapid than in previous years

or dry years [when other droughts have occurred]”.  The Pyrénées-Orientales and Hérault departments were already facing drought alerts as a severe lack of rainfall since 2022 has kept

warnings almost continually in place, even during last year’s ample rainfall. Read more: 2024 was among the warmest - and wettest - years on record in France ARE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE? 

Currently the Bouches-du-Rhône is facing a ‘vigilance’ level warning, which advises residents to be mindful of their water consumption.  No restrictions are in place, and the warnings do not

apply to those who receive their water from the tap (au robinet) but to those who source it from a well, borehole, or who draw their water directly from a natural source. Warnings may

increase if rainfall does not partially replenish water tables.  If you want to find out about restrictions in your area, the government’s official VigiEau website allows you to check if any

are in place.  Restrictions are implemented at commune (not departmental) level and can change depending on the type of water you use. You can enter your address as well as the type of

water you consume (from the tap, wells/boreholes, or from a natural source such as a spring) to see if you are affected.  You can also enter your status: resident, business owner using the

water for commercial means or farmer etc, as restrictions can differ between these groups. An interactive map allows you to see restrictions in other areas.  At higher levels of warning such

as those currently in place in parts of Pyrénées-Orientals and Hérault, restrictions on watering plants, filling swimming pools, cleaning vehicles and using excess water may all come into

force.  At the highest level only minimal water use is permitted.  Read more: What is France's 'drought' website VigiEau? It is also possible to find updates on drought

conditions through departmental websites, such as here for Bouches-du-Rhône.