The first water restriction measures were taken in 45 municipalities in the Gard, the levels of water tables and rivers with a "generalized downward trend," said Thursday the prefecture of Gard.
Part of Loiret and Indre in crisis level
Seventeen departments are affected by water restriction measures, according to the Propluvia ministerial website. Among them, Loiret and Indre are in crisis level on part of their territory. There are three levels of restriction: the level 1 alert, the reinforced alert and finally the crisis level which prohibits non-priority withdrawals including for agricultural purposes.
In the Gard, the communes downstream of La Cèze have been placed on level 1 alert: the filling of private pools, washing cars and the operation of fountains in open circuit are prohibited.
Agricultural irrigation and vegetable gardens are allowed only between 10 am and 6 pm, while for domestic watering (lawns, pleasure gardens, etc.), golf courses and sports areas, the ban is extended. from 8 am to 8 pm
"Unsatisfactory" levels everywhere in France
"Météo-France announces high temperatures, and little precipitation in the coming days.In these conditions, at the beginning of the summer period, groundwater levels and stream flows should continue to decline," added prefecture of Gard in a statement.
According to the Bureau of Geological and Mining Research, many water tables in France have levels "unsatisfactory" and "lower" than those of last year. As of June 1, 59% of the water tables were at a "moderately low to low" level. This summer, which is expected to be warmer than normal, the public establishment expects problems in certain regions (southern Alsace, Burgundy, upstream of the Rhône) where aquifer levels are close to the minimums recorded for a month. may.