In drought-stricken France, tankers supply drinking water
France is seeing water shortages in regions that usually have plenty of supply. This summer's extreme heat is exposing how unprepared much of the country, and Europe, is for increasing water scarcity.
In eastern France, tankers have been delivering drinking water to the town of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines in the Vosges Mountains since mid-August. The town, home to 5,000 residents, usually draws from around 20 mountain springs, but the flow has slowed due to a prolonged heatwave and drought. Nearby Liepvre, connected to a larger water network, supplies the town twice a week via tankers, acting as an improvised water pipeline.
Over 40,000 people have faced water shortages or disruptions this month, with 550,000 at increased risk. The drought has impacted much of France, prompting water restrictions, though tanker use varies based on local water sources and accessibility. Similar measures are in place in the Jura Mountains and elsewhere in France, where tanker trucks have supplied multiple municipalities in the past.
The issue of water scarcity affects many regions, not just France. European Union data shows seasonal water scarcity impacts about 30% of the land area and nearly one-third of the population. The European Commission recently launched a Water Resilience Strategy, aiming to boost water efficiency by 10% by 2030 and improve infrastructure.
Germany's Badenova company, serving the Black Forest region, is also preparing for potential tanker deliveries if groundwater levels continue to decline. Southern Europe, accustomed to water shortages, has invested in reservoirs, pipelines, and desalination plants to cope with the issue.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
