While the country is experiencing an unprecedented drought and more than 100 municipalities are already deprived of drinking water, can the situation become generalized?
This is a “historic” situation that the country is going through, said the Minister for Ecological Transition, Christophe Béchu on the move to Roumoules (Alpes-Maritimes). France is going through an unprecedented period of drought; July was the second driest month since Météo France measurements began in 1959.
The country is in an alarming water situation – some groundwater is dry – and more than 100 municipalities are deprived of drinking water: water no longer flows from the tap!
Many cities are getting organized to pump lakes or desalinate seawater. And some municipalities have now become accustomed to seeing the comings and goings of tankers to supply them.
In the Vosges, reports 20 Minutes, the city of Gérardmer draws from its lake. The water goes through purification stations before being declared drinkable. The station has already drawn water in 2003, 2015 and 2020.
Dramatic situation in Haute-Corse
In Haute-Corse, the situation is even more dramatic. Within 25 days, half of the Island of Beauty could run out of drinking water. Measures have been taken to delay this deadline explains The Dispatch, but these were not sufficient. The prefect of Haute-Corse solemnly called for “a collective and united effort so that all uses of water can be satisfied”.
In Occitania, nine of the region’s thirteen departments are placed on drought vigilance and four on heightened alert. Restrictions have been imposed such as washing your car and the prefectures are entitled to prohibit watering, even those intended for agriculture.
When we know that this week again the temperatures must reach 40° C and that the heat wave could last at least until August 15Occitania and the rest of France should expect a worsening of the drought situation, depriving new municipalities of drinking water.