Groundwater: slight deterioration in January, “worrying” situation in Roussillon

Europe 1 with AFP // Photo credits: Jc Milhet / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP 7:16 p.m., February 13, 2024

As of February 1, 46% of water tables are above seasonal norms and 15% at comparable levels, according to the Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM). This situation is “more favorable” than in 2023 on the same date, “where 60% of the levels were below normal”.

The level of groundwater in mainland France "remains generally satisfactory", but deteriorated "slightly" between December and January, the public body responsible for their monitoring announced on Tuesday, which highlights the "very worrying" situation in the Pyrenees. -Eastern. As of February 1, 46% of water tables are above seasonal norms and 15% at comparable levels, according to the Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM). This situation is “more favorable” than in 2023 at the same date “where 60% of the levels were below normal”.

“Only the aquifers of Languedoc, Roussillon and Corsica will maintain lower levels in January 2024 than in January 2023,” notes the BRGM in its bulletin. “The significant recharge that occurred between the end of October and December had a notable effect on the water tables” which were for the most part very dry at the end of summer, recalls the organization in its monthly bulletin.

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“The situation remains generally satisfactory, but is deteriorating”

However, "in January, the intensity of groundwater recharge" decreased compared to December. “The situation remains generally satisfactory, but deteriorates slightly with 46% of levels above monthly normals,” notes the Bureau. "Low to very low levels" are however noted on "the inertial layers of Sundgau", in the south of Alsace, "and the Saône corridor" as well as "on those of the south-southeast and Corsica ".

In particular, "the levels remain very worrying on the limestone layers of the Corbières massif and the Roussillon plain", in the Pyrénées-Orientales, warns the BRGM. This warning comes after a year marked by a historic drought in Pyrénées-Orientales, a department with significant agricultural and tourist activity which has suffered numerous restrictions on water use. “We are at a 90% deficit in soil humidity” in this department, Minister of Ecological Transition Christophe Béchu declared Tuesday on Franceinfo.

“Everyone made an effort”

“Many measures were taken last year (...) with considerable reductions in water consumption during the summer, despite the tourist season,” recalled the minister. “Everyone has made an effort,” he welcomed while referring to ongoing reflection to find new water savings in this region and to identify new resources, without further details. On the other side of the Pyrenees, in Spain, Catalonia has been declared in a state of "drought emergency" and the authorities are considering resupplying Barcelona with tankers from June, if the situation worsens.

On the Mediterranean rim and Corsica, “the cumulative rainfall in recent weeks has not stopped the downward trend,” notes the BRGM. In these regions, in January, "small flood peaks were able to temporarily interrupt emptying, but they had little impact on monthly trends". As always, developments will depend on the level of rain before spring and the resumption of vegetation, which significantly reduces groundwater recharge.