Drought hits Finistère region

The Finistère region in Brittany, France, is in a "critical situation" due to a severe drought, according to local officials. The mayor of Brest, Stéphane Roudaut, from the Divers Right party, issued the warning on Thursday, October 8, citing information from France 3 Bretagne.

Water sources heavily reliant on rainfall

The region, which traditionally receives significant rainfall, is particularly vulnerable to drought because 75% of its water supply comes from rivers, streams, and dams. Water levels in rivers remain at historically low levels, and reservoirs continue to deplete, according to prefect Louis Le Franc, who emphasized the severity of the situation on Friday.

Drinking water at risk from surface sources

The situation is exacerbated by the fact that 70% of the drinking water supply in Finistère comes from surface water sources that depend on rainfall. Roudaut warned that if no immediate efforts are made by residents, the economy, and the agri-food sector to conserve water, the region could face a complete water shortage within less than a month.

Urgent call for water conservation

Roudaut called for strict water conservation measures, including avoiding car washes and taking baths, urging every individual to be mindful of their water usage to prevent drastic restrictions. Philippe Rybski, director of the Élorn basin syndicate, added that residents in North Finistère must halve their water consumption to avoid the risk of water supply interruptions.