SEE: where water tables in France have refilled the most

France’s groundwater reserves are beginning to refill thanks to a wet October and November. We look at where they are most replenished.

In September, the Office for geological and mineral research, or BRGM, said that 60% of France’s water tables were below their average levels.

This followed a particularly hot and dry summer that had seen stiff rules brought in to limit the use of water in car washes and swimming pools.

To compound the issue, a particularly dry September saw 40% less rainfall than average.

Record-breaking rainfall

By the start of December, the situation had improved significantly, with 48% of the country’s groundwater reserves above their average levels.

In large part, this is due to the 26 days of record-breaking rainfall from the end of October to mid-November.

Météo France announced that during this period France averaged over 215 mm across the country.

Read more: Record rain refills water table in France but issues remain for 2024

Where have the water tables risen the most?

Currently, no rainfall is expected until at least December 21 (Thursday) however there are concerns a wet Christmas is in store for France.

This could bring floods back to areas already impacted this autumn – such as Pas-de-Calais and the Dordogne – as soils in the area are likely to still be saturated with water.

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