Drought alert in Ille-et-Vilaine

The Ille-et-Vilaine department in France is under a "crisis" drought alert, with the prefect urging residents to cut back on water use. This alert was declared on October 19 after a meeting of the Water Resource Management Committee on October 7.

Recent rains not enough to ease the crisis

Although some rain has fallen in the northern part of the department, the overall situation remains critical. Dam reserves are continuing to decline at a steady rate, and the prefect emphasized that water resources are still a major concern.

Historically low water levels recorded

Measurements from the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) show that water levels are at historic lows. Rivers are at their lowest point for September since 2012, and groundwater levels are the lowest recorded since 2007. This is partly due to a lack of rainfall since spring.

Water restrictions not having the desired effect

Despite water use restrictions introduced on August 15, consumption has not dropped significantly. The prefect is now calling for immediate action, including shorter showers, avoiding baths, and ensuring washing machines and dishwashers are fully loaded before use. Residents are also urged to fix any water leaks.