Drought forces water restrictions across nearly 70% of France
Two-thirds of France’s groundwater reserves are below normal levels.
Nearly three-quarters of France is currently under water-use restrictions due to a severe drought, the government announced on August 10. Temperatures have soared in recent heatwaves, leading to thousands of excess deaths and numerous wildfires. As of August 9, 67 of France's 101 departments were under the highest crisis alert, with water use limited to essentials like healthcare, civil protection, drinking water, and sanitation.
Lower alert levels restrict activities such as watering gardens, filling pools, washing cars, and irrigating crops. Two-thirds of French aquifers that supply drinking water have dropped below normal levels, according to the Bureau of Geological and Mining Research. July 2022 was the hottest month on record in France, with the third driest July in terms of precipitation, resulting in a nationwide rainfall deficit of nearly 70%.
Ecology minister Monique Barbut warned that drinking water supplies were under strain in several areas, with tap water cuts affecting over 30,000 people. The government plans to hold a crisis meeting on the drought on Wednesday as France and Europe face another heatwave.
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