The French government is proposing to reduce the number of water sources protected under a national program to 2,000, according to a draft decree. This number is significantly lower than the total of 33,000 water sources in France, and the decree identifies only 2,000 as "priority" for protection measures. The list, published by the media outlet Contexte, has raised concerns among environmental groups and local authorities responsible for safeguarding drinking water. The draft decree, set to be presented to water stakeholders on October 12, is part of a broader "roadmap" introduced in March 2025. However, it has been criticized by local actors as lacking ambition and even representing a step backward. A year ago, the government had planned to include up to 8,000 water sources in the program, a much broader approach that aimed to prevent contamination rather than focusing only on the most polluted areas. Environmental groups and local authorities had hoped for a more inclusive strategy, with voluntary actions on a larger number of water sources. Instead, the government has decided to focus on the most contaminated sites, where levels of nitrates, pesticides, and micropollutants exceed 90% of the legal limits. This shift in strategy aims to address the most pressing water quality issues first. The government defends its decision, stating that the new approach includes a legal obligation to act and allows regional authorities, known as prefects, to enforce protection measures through more stringent actions if needed. While this could lead to stronger enforcement, critics argue that the reduced scope may leave many water sources vulnerable to pollution and fail to address the broader challenge of water protection in France.