In response to worsening water shortages, a ban on pool sales has been implemented in the South of France. Christophe Béchu, the Minister of Ecological Transition, announced that Pyrénées-Orientales, which shares a border with Spanish Catalonia, will be officially designated as experiencing a drought “crisis” level starting from May 10th.
Commencing on the same date, restrictions will be imposed on car-washing, lawn watering, and filling of pools throughout the region. Béchu explained that halting swimming pool sales aims to deter individuals from engaging in an activity that is already prohibited – filling their pools with water.
Pyrénées-Orientales has endured a severe lack of rainfall for over a year, making it imperative to prioritize the use of water for drinking purposes exclusively. Mr. Béchu stressed the urgency of the situation, declaring, “Climate change is here and now. We need to get out of our culture of abundance. We need to show far more restraint in how we use the resources we have.”
France has been raising alarm bells due to a dry winter exacerbating already depleted water reserves from 2022. Although a wet March provided some relief to farmers by moistening the soil ahead of planting, groundwater levels remain perilously low, particularly in the Mediterranean region. Only Brittany and Aquitaine in the south-west are relatively secure in terms of water supply.
Pyrénées-Orientales will become the fourth district in France officially classified as facing a “crisis” level of drought. Over 40 additional districts, accounting for nearly half the country, are already at “alert” or “vigilance” levels, indicating even more severe water shortages than last year.
Certain areas within the region are confronting such low aquifer levels that experts fear saltwater intrusion from the sea, rendering tap water undrinkable. Insufficient groundwater also leads to higher concentrations of pollutants, posing a significant threat to water quality.
To address the escalating water scarcity issue, President Emmanuel Macron recently unveiled a nationwide water program that includes investments to reduce leaks and enhance recycling. He also proposed a “progressive water tariff” wherein consumption exceeding a certain threshold, such as water used for swimming pools, would be subject to higher rates.
According to Mr. Béchu, approximately 2,000 villages and towns are at risk of losing their water supply this year. In 2022, 1,000 municipalities encountered severe water problems, with approximately 400 requiring emergency provisions such as bottled water or mobile cisterns.
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