Restrictions have been introduced in 24 departments due to severe drought, says government
France restrictions water consumption
A severe drought has prompted 24 of France’s 96 departments to impose limits on water use, the country’s Ecological Transition Ministry said on Saturday.
The restrictions range from simple calls to save water in some areas to a more than 50% reduction in agricultural withdrawals and bans on washing cars, watering gardens and filling swimming pools in others, the ministry told Le Figaro.
France restrictions water consumption
Rainfall levels have been well below France since September 2021, and last month the deficit reached 25%. The situation was exacerbated by abnormally high temperatures in May, which is on track to become the warmest on record.
In mid-April, eight French departments were forced to impose restrictions on water use, compared to just three in the same period in 2021.
France restrictions water consumption
“This year, the drought had started early,” France’s new prime minister, Elisabeth Borne, said earlier this week. “We are taking measures to manage the water resource and prevent the situation from being unmanageable this summer.”
France restrictions water consumption
Local authorities have been instructed “preserve water resources as much as possible,Borne said, also calling “All French people to reduce their water consumption”.
The prime minister also announced that €400 million would be allocated to support farmers, who may lack feed for livestock due to drought.