Europe 1 with AFP 3:57 p.m., June 13, 2022

The Professional Federation of Water Companies (FP2E) on Monday called on users to "sobriety" when the lack of water could threaten a large part of the national territory by the end of the summer.

The association has also called on the State and local authorities to "proactively plan a water policy".

Water companies on Monday called on all users, farmers, industrialists, public services ... to "sobriety" in their consumption in the face of drought.

While 26 departments are already subject to usage restrictions, the lack of water could threaten a large part of the national territory by the end of the summer, with some groundwater already in a worrying state (in Provence -Alpes Côte d'Azur, Bas-Dauphiné, Vendée, Charentes, Maine, Touraine...), underlines the Professional Federation of Water Companies (FP2E), which distribute drinking water to 60% of French people.

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The association recalls the situation in the summer of 2019, during which 88 departments were subject to restrictions and certain rural municipalities supplied by tank trucks.

“Not reliving these problematic situations for the population and for economic activities requires anticipating”, underlines the FP2E, which brings together the private companies managing these markets after competition (Saur, Suez, Veolia, etc.).

Prioritize “nature-based solutions”

From the State and local authorities, they are calling for "proactive water policy planning, commensurate with the new climate situation".

In particular, they advocate the establishment of interconnections, where the fragility of one catchment can be compensated by another, and the strengthening of the digitalization of services (detection of leaks before and after meters, seasonal tariff structures).

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The FP2E also recommends accelerating the implementation of "nature-based solutions" (preserving wetlands, removing waterproofing), the effectiveness of which is expected in the long term, combined with more technological solutions (refilling , reuse of treated wastewater, etc.).

Already, in services equipped with remote readings, seasonal tariff structures can be implemented, on the decision of each community, to encourage responsible consumption in times of crisis, these professionals suggest.

An episode of very strong heat is expected this week after a particularly hot and dry spring, which has already caused drought in the soil in a large part of France, raising fears for crops.