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Water restrictions

How to wake up your swimming pool when temperatures get warmer

We look at the different steps you need to take to get your pool ready for the warmer days ahead

Crisis level for drought already in place in areas of south of France

Restrictions already place limits on filling pools and cleaning cars

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

As of December 1, rainfall had refilled almost half to ‘above-average’ levels for the season

practical

SEE: where water tables in France have refilled the most

Half of the groundwater reserves are above their normal levels after a wet autumn

What is France's 'drought' website VigiEau?

You can type in your address to find out whether you can do things like fill your swimming pool or water the garden

Reusing household water to flush toilets may get green light in France

A new law is expected to relax rules on greywater use as government tries to combat effects of drought

MAP: areas of France suffering most from groundwater shortages

The dry autumn has not let water tables recover from the summer

More ‘crisis’ level drought alerts in France, water reserves stay low

Residents are asked to check if and what restrictions apply to them

Why peanuts and pistachios are the future of French farming

Farmers must grow completely different crops adapted to extreme weather, says scientist

France to support industrial sites in bid to hit water saving target

The government hopes to reduce water use by 10% by 2030 and pledges to work with high-use companies

Drought: French city to give water-saving shower heads to residents

The devices will be distributed for free and can save up to 40% of water, say authorities

Water restrictions not used effectively during France’s drought

The rules were brought in too late and cannot be enforced, say experts

France drought: checks find hundreds breaking water usage rules

6,000 checks have been carried out this year and will continue into autumn. Those breaking rules risk fines of up to €1,500 (€7,500 for businesses)

Summer rain has not helped France’s low groundwater levels - minister

More than 30 departments are also on crisis alert for drought

Map: The 28 French departments at high risk of drought this summer

Official guidelines on how water restrictions should be applied have also been updated

Seven tips on how to save water and reduce your bills in France

It comes as the government announces plans to cut its consumption by 10%

France allows local authorities to use wastewater after record drought

The use of wastewater for civic tasks such as street cleaning or vehicle washing will save precious drinking water

Warm weather, drought and fires: why it may feel like summer in France

Higher-than-normal temperatures and the impact of a record winter dry spell make it feel more like August than March

Drought: Building permits suspended in nine south of France communes

Local authorities say there is not enough water available to welcome new residents or allow more building projects to take place in the area

Bring in water restrictions from now, French prefects told

The ecology minister said he was ‘alarmed’ by the low water levels in the country. A new meeting with prefects is planned for March 6 for an update on the situation

Water restrictions set to launch as France faces chronic lack of rain

People are being called on to make efforts from now to save water, especially when it comes to activities such as car washing and the filling of swimming pools

Why the month of March will be decisive for droughts in France

A lack of rainfall over winter and mild temperatures mean next month’s weather will be crucial before the arrival of spring

Water restrictions imposed in southeast France due to drought alert

17 communes are concerned due to the twin issue of high temperatures and low rainfall in 2022

How France plans to tackle increasing water shortages

‘Nature is leaving us no option’ said the Ecology Minister as water table levels remain historically low. Only 1% of water is reused in France

French golf clubs’ plea to relax rules on reusing wastewater

Golf courses were criticised for watering greens during last year’s heatwave - but using treated wastewater comes with ‘onerous’ restrictions

Drought in France: 2023 set to be ‘very dry year’ and it starts now

We ‘must get used to and better anticipate’ a lack of rainfall, an expert warns, as water levels remain very low

French communes still needing water deliveries after summer drought

Mayors in two Nouvelle-Aquitaine communes have called for help as trailer water deliveries continue, months after water levels usually return to normal

Water restrictions maintained into November in southeast France

A warm October has not helped the drought conditions, say forecasters. It comes as farmers elsewhere are compensated for losses

Drought measures extended into October in south-east France

Restrictions are being maintained as the ‘crisis’ continues in Alpes-Maritimes. It comes as Nice breaks its ‘tropical’ night record

France must manage water better, researchers say after summer droughts

Solutions to shortages include recycling wastewater, collecting rainwater and removing salt from seawater

Residents in French town donate pool water for parched green spaces

Local authorities hit upon the idea after a resident offered their used pool water to help keep communal areas green in drought conditions

How are French authorities informing people of water restrictions?

Readers report mixed experiences in terms of obtaining information with some saying it has been near impossible to work out the rules and others praising the efforts of local authorities

Water restrictions: Fines systematically issued in south-west France

Tarn-et-Garonne’s prefect is imposing fines on anyone found to be breaking the rules. Three quarters of the department’s water supplies have already been used

Should France ban private swimming pool use amid drought crisis?

An MP says the idea should not be ignored but only be used as a last resort in the combat against droughts

This is how much rainfall France needs to end the drought

The recent rain has helped refill rivers and restart plant life, but water table levels still remain dangerously low in some areas

France drought: climate protesters fill golf course holes with plants

The Limoges activists followed the example of their peers in Toulouse in opposing the fact that courses can often water their greens despite drought restrictions