Water restrictions brought in for the Dordogne over drought fears
Restrictions include limits on watering gardens and filling swimming pools
A number of activities, including watering gardens in daylight hours, have been banned
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Restrictions on water usage have come into force in some communes of the Dordogne (Nouvelle Aquitaine), as water reserves in the area have seen levels drop.
The rules have been in place since July 27 in some communes along the Tournefeuille, Seignal and Estrop rivers, in the south-west of the department.
The department’s prefecture announced the restrictions in a press release, which will remain in place until further notice.
Further restrictions may come into force as the heatwave affecting the south and centre of France begins to take its toll on water reserves in the south of France.
What are the restrictions?
Limits on water usage include:
A ban on watering gardens between 08:00 and 20:00
A ban on washing cars
A ban on washing outdoor spaces such as driveways
A ban on ‘topping up’ swimming pools that are already filled, or filling them for the first time this year (some brand-new swimming pools can still be filled if empty due to sanitary reasons)
Limits on water usage in public spaces (parks, golf courses, etc)
Other restrictions may be issued at communal level.
As a reminder, in most cases, restrictions on water usage are separate for each commune (or based on local water basin areas).
Even if a department is under one level of restriction, the exact rules for your location may vary due to local circumstances.
You can use the government’s VigiEau website to check restrictions in your area. Type in your address at the top of the site or use the interactive map.
Note that there are two main map modes for restrictions, one on drinking water levels (eau potable) and one on water usage restrictions (eau superficielle). You can use the buttons on the left-hand side of the map to switch between these.
Read more: First water restrictions of 2024 in two departments of south-west France
Will restrictions be as severe this summer?
In 2022 and 2023, widespread drought restrictions were put in place across France, particularly in the summer months, as water tables shrunk to very low levels.
Higher-than-expected rainfall in the Autumn of 2023 and Spring of 2024 replenished water tables in most of France to at least their average level, and in some areas of the north and west, higher than average, abating fears of a repeat of previous restrictions in these areas.
An increased focus on reducing water consumption and waste has also been a priority for the government, helping to keep water levels from falling so quickly.
Read more: How do I see if any drought rules are affecting my French home?
It means that restrictions to the level of previous years are unlikely.
However water tables in parts of the south, particularly in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, are still significantly below average, meaning restrictions have remained in place since 2023 or earlier.
If France experiences a prolonged heat wave or a lack of autumn rainfall, restrictions in late 2024 or 2025 may be put into place.
