According to data from the Ministry of Ecological Transition, 47 French departments have been in a situation of vigilance, alarm or crisis since 30 April 2023 due to drought and low rainfall. Numerous water restrictions have already been imposed especially in south-eastern France
A map from the Ministry of Ecological Transition's website Propluvia on Sunday 30 April shows the extent of water restrictions imposed by the various French prefectures at the end of April. In two departments, Bouches-du-Rhône and Gard, the "crisis level" (red on the map) has been declared.
In these zones, non-priority water abstractions are banned, including for agricultural purposes. Only those for priority uses such as health, civil security, drinking water or sanitation are allowed.
Almost all of Gard and the Pyrénées-Orientales are under "raised alert" (orange on the map), as are parts of Ain, Oise, Alpes-Maritimes and Yvelines. In practice, this status means a reduction in withdrawals for agricultural purposes by 50% or more. The restrictions are more important for watering gardens, green areas and golf courses and can go as far as banning certain abstractions.
A large part of south-east France and the Haute-Saône department are currently subject to a "drought alert" (yellow on the map). In these areas, abstractions for agricultural purposes are reduced by more than 50% or completely banned for up to three days a week. This includes a ban on operating valves, water sports, watering gardens, green spaces and golf courses at certain times and washing cars.
By Decree No 2023-310 of 24 April 2023 on the possibility of derogating from the obligation to provide temperature-controlled water to workers at workplaces until 30 June 2024, Macron denied temperature-controlled water to workers on workplaces.
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