Bretagne faces a severe drought, with critical water shortages threatening drinking supplies. Residents are urged to conserve water as reserves dwindle.
Drought hits Bretagne region
The Bretagne region is experiencing a severe drought, with areas such as the Pays de Brest and Pays de Saint-Malo facing critical water shortages. Reserves are nearly depleted, threatening the region's access to drinking water.Public urged to conserve water
Despite public appeals for water conservation, consumption levels have not decreased significantly. Messages urging reduced water use have been placed on bus shelters, social media, and in the media. The Syndicat Eau du bassin rennais has been actively communicating to alert residents about the crisis in the Ille-et-Vilaine department, emphasizing the need for individuals, farmers, and businesses to reduce their consumption to avoid a potential shortage of drinking water.Drought alert spans entire region
The entire Bretagne region is currently under a drought alert, with some areas experiencing a catastrophic situation where water reserves may last only a few weeks. Stéphane Roudaut, the mayor of Brest, warned that the region's usual rainfall patterns are no longer reliable, a situation that would have been unimaginable to older residents.Water pricing fails to curb use
According to Rémi Pitré, president of the Syndicat mixte de gestion de l’eau d’Ille-et-Vilaine (SMG Eau 35), the price of water is not high enough to prompt significant changes in consumer behavior. In France, drinking water costs an average of 5 euros per 1,000 liters, or 0.005 euros per liter. Pitré believes that people will only understand the gravity of the situation when they face water cuts.Heat increases water demand
This summer, Bretons have consumed more water due to high temperatures, with consumption increasing by 25% on some very hot days in late June. Françoise Louapre, vice-president of Eau du bassin rennais and mayor of Laillé, notes that while there is a need to cool down, the long-term sustainability of such practices is questionable. She encourages residents to adopt new habits, such as limiting showers and installing dry toilets, to prevent potential water shortages.Infrastructure investment needed
Louapre highlights the success of distributing water-saving nozzles in her commune, which led to immediate public engagement. However, individual efforts may not be sufficient without significant investment from local authorities to address leaks, improve water quality, and upgrade infrastructure. The Syndicat Eau du bassin rennais has invested 21 million euros in transforming its water treatment plant in Plouasne (Côtes-d’Armor), which was recently inaugurated. The new facility highlights the severity of the drought, as the water level at the Rophémel dam is significantly lower than usual. The plant requires at least 13 cubic meters of water per second to operate, but the current flow is only 0.2 cubic meters per second.
