Drought: restrictions “from March” 2023? The list of departments affected

DROUGHT. While the country is experiencing a very dry winter and the rains are scarce, France is “on alert” drought announced at the microphone of Franceinfo the Minister of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion Christophe Béchu. We take stock of the situation.

[Mis à jour le 22 février 2013 à 15h47] Month after month, the rains are scarce, and France is experiencing “the driest winter since 1959” recalled the Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion Christophe Béchu on FranceInfo on Wednesday February 22, 2022, a few hours after Météo France announced the new historic record of “32 consecutive days without rain across France”.

On Franceinfo on Wednesday February 22, the Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion expressed his concern by explaining that “the next two months are absolutely crucial.” To date, the water tables are at their lowest and are “about two months behind in terms of filling”, several municipalities are affected by water restrictions, and “and this will again be the case for other territories “, specifies Christophe Béchu. It is important to take action as soon as possible. The minister therefore announced at the microphone of Franceinfo that an anticipation committee on the risks of drought would be held this Thursday, followed on Monday February 27 by a meeting with all the prefects to “take ‘soft’ measures of restrictions” of water, and this “from the month of March” in order to anticipate so as not to “find yourself in a catastrophic situation” this summer.

It is important that every French person takes responsibility for the drought situation that France has been experiencing for several months by adopting the right actions to save water today. Among them, we can cite not letting the water run when soaping up, using full washing machines, limiting the watering of the garden, preferring showers to baths, installing water-saving equipment, etc.

As of February 22, 2023, 3 departments are on heightened alert and are affected by a restriction beyond vigilance on at least part of the territory. This concerns Bouches-du-Rhône, Pyrénées-Orientales and Isère (specific groundwater restrictions). In addition to these departments, Savoie is placed on alert (information and encouragement for individuals and professionals to save water). The other departments are not currently affected by any restrictions, but if the rain continues to be rare, the situation can change quickly.

What is the drought map of France?

Propluvia is the institute of the Ministry of Ecological Transition responsible for monitoring water levels and the internet platform that allows direct consultation of water restriction orders. The site includes a scalable map to view the areas affected by these prefectural decrees. Here is the map as of February 22, 2023.

There are four main levels of drought vigilance and all of them result in the implementation of specific measures.

• Vigilance drought (level 1): informing and encouraging individuals and professionals to save water.
• Alert (level 2): ​​measures prohibiting the operation of valves, nautical activity, prohibition at certain times of watering gardens, green spaces, golf courses or washing one’s car. For farmers, reduction of levies for agricultural purposes below 50% (or ban up to three days a week).
• Heightened alert (level 3): stronger limitation of withdrawals for watering gardens, green spaces, golf courses, car washing, etc., until certain withdrawals are prohibited. For farmers, reduction of levies for agricultural purposes greater than or equal to 50% (or ban greater than or equal to 3.5 days per week).
• Crisis (level 4): cessation of non-priority withdrawals, including withdrawals for agricultural purposes. Only withdrawals to ensure the exercise of priority uses are authorized. They concern sectors such as health, civil security, drinking water and sanitation.

Individuals have a role to play in limiting drought, in particular through small everyday gestures summarized by the website of the Ministry of Ecological Transition:

• Avoid letting the water run
• Limit the watering of my garden,
• Install water-saving equipment,
• Take a shower instead of a bath
• Install a rainwater collector or containers under the gutter downspouts and in the garden to water it,
• Repair water leaks,
• Avoid running your washing machine or dishwasher half empty.