Water tables and underground reservoirs in France are at a good level, reducing the likelihood of widespread drought conditions coming into force across the country this year.
Groundwater reservoirs are at least at average levels, except in one or two areas, data from the national Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières (BRGM) shows.
Water table levels are particularly high in the west and centre of France, and at a good level across Brittany, Normandy, the Hauts-de-France, and most of the east.
In the south, levels are around average, particularly around Marseille.
Only the Pyrénées-Orientales and Corsica are facing levels significantly below average.
VisActu / The Connexion
Why are water levels so high?
The current readings are a striking improvement compared to the previous two years when water tables dropped to drastically low levels in summer
Two main factors have contributed.
Firstly, rainfall in the latter period of 2023 reached average levels, quickly allowing tables to be partially replenished following a harsh summer.
This brought water levels out of a critical situation and helped avoid winter droughts, after rainfall in autumn 2022 was below average.
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Secondly, spring 2024 saw heavy and sustained rainfall, breaking records in some areas in April and May and bringing water tables up much higher than initially expected.
This sustained rain penetrated deep into the reservoirs, filling them up.
In addition, this rainfall was not concentrated on a single region but hit almost all areas of France, allowing most tables to be replenished.
France must remain cautious
However, it is too soon to completely disregard the threat of droughts.
Despite storms bringing rainfall in July and August, this rain is unlikely to penetrate into France’s reservoirs, and will only soak the ground (although this itself helps combat the threat of forest fires).
It means groundwater is still being consumed and not being replenished in the warm months.
This is particularly the case during periods of heatwave when people use more water in a bid to cool down themselves and their homes.
Heavy rains in autumn will help replenish water tables, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Even if water table levels remain high across most of the country, drought restrictions are still in place in a number of communes.
They are not only in place in areas where water table levels are low (such as the Pyrénées-Orientales), but in departments such as Dordogne, where they are high.
This is because local water levels (from rivers and basins) are low, which affects water accessibility, and is unconnected to water table levels.
As a reminder, you can use the VigiEau website to check drought restrictions in your commune – rules are brought in at communal level, as opposed to departmentally, based on localised conditions.
