The drought in Pontarlier, a town in the Doubs department of France, continues to have serious consequences, with water resources in the area decreasing each day. On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the local town hall announced that the Pontarlier swimming pool would be closed indefinitely. This decision was made as a symbolic gesture to raise public awareness about the severity of the water shortage, which officials describe as an unprecedented situation in the region. Water resources in the Grand Pontarlier Community of Communes, a local government body responsible for managing services across several towns, are at their lowest levels. Authorities are taking action in response to the crisis, with five of the eight wells supplying the area showing reduced flow and one well in Pontarlier completely shut down. According to Mayor Patrick Comte, the closure of the swimming pool accounts for between 1 and 2% of the town's daily water consumption. However, he emphasized that this measure is not a solution to the crisis but a way to manage the situation for as long as possible. Mayor Comte expressed concern about the possibility of a tap water cut-off in the coming weeks. He noted that while the idea is "unthinkable," it might become necessary if there is not enough rain in the next two weeks. He also pointed out that climate change is progressing faster than expected, and efforts are being made to address the crisis. The mayor mentioned that water tables continue to drop and that the local lake remains at a critically low level. Despite these concerns, there is hope for significant rainfall, though the community has little control over the weather. Residents of Pontarlier generally accept the closure of the swimming pool, recognizing it as a necessary measure. For example, Jessica, a mother, received a message from her daughter's synchronized swimming coach about the cancellation of a session. She said she finds the measure acceptable and believes it reflects the seriousness of the situation. Similarly, Elianne, who had planned a swimming session, decided to switch to gymnastics instead, acknowledging the need for caution. In addition to the swimming pool closure, the Grand Pontarlier Community of Communes is working to raise awareness about the importance of conserving water through small daily actions. Posters have been placed around the city to inform residents that the situation is exceptional and serious, with water reserves at their lowest levels and the coming weeks being crucial. Julie Verger, director of communication for the Community of Communes, explained that the posters encourage residents to limit showers to five minutes, run washing machines and dishwashers only when full, follow bans on cleaning and watering, and check for water leaks. The emphasis is on immediate and collective efforts to conserve water.