The Regional Health Agency reports a very tense situation for the supply of drinking water to several municipalities in the Hérault department.
L
he drought committee of August 22 noted a deterioration in the hydrological and water situation in the department. Indeed, the levels have been extremely low in the Hérault, Orb and Libron basins for several weeks, as well as a large part of the underground resources showing low to very low and falling levels. The Regional Health Agency (ARS) reports a very tense situation for the supply of drinking water to several municipalities.
In this extraordinary context in which water levels are historically low, any malfunction during the cleaning of vats and harvesting machines with release into the natural environment can have significant repercussions. The ARS recalls: This is why it is necessary to pay particular attention during cleaning operations, taking care to: save water, promote the use of washing areas, prevent and avoid any malfunction resulting in untreated discharge into the yards of ‘water. »
By area:
For areas in crisis (Vidourle basin, upstream Hérault basin, Lergue basin, downstream Hérault basin, upstream Orb basin, Jaur basin, downstream Orb basin, ‘Aude downstream) the measures applied are the crisis level restriction measures. Irrigation is therefore totally prohibited except for plantations less than 3 years old (permission to irrigate between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.). In this situation, the structures having a management plan, a reduction of withdrawals of 50% must be observed for sprinkling and gravity irrigation (withdrawals in channels) or of 30% for localized irrigation (drip- drip, micro-spray, etc.). For drilling and watercourse sampling, meter readings must be taken every week.
For areas on heightened alert (Lez and Mosson watershed, Sustained Orb Axis, Astien sands water table, Canal du Midi, Double Argent and Ognon basin, Cesse basin, du Thoré upstream) any type of agricultural irrigation is prohibited from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For structures with a management plan, a reduction in withdrawals of 50% must be observed for sprinkling and gravity irrigation (withdrawals from channels) and 30% for localized irrigation (drip , micro-spray, etc.). For boreholes and water samples, meter readings must be taken every 15 days.
For the alert zone (Basin of the Etang de l’Or lagoon) agricultural irrigation is prohibited from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For structures with a management plan, a reduction in withdrawals: 30% must be observed for sprinkling and gravity irrigation (withdrawals from channels) and 20% for localized irrigation (drip , micro-spray, etc.). For boreholes and water samples, meter readings must be taken every 15 days.
The triggering of the level of vigilance (for the zones of Ax Lez sustained, of the Bassin de l’Agout, of the Miocene Molasses of Castries) does not induce restrictions for agricultural use, on the other hand, it is advisable to adopt economical practices in water by avoiding irrigation during hot hours.
Non-domestic withdrawals (> 1000 m3 per year): boreholes and withdrawals from rivers must be equipped with meters. Meter readings must be taken at least once a month and be recorded in a register. Town halls can decide – by municipal decree – to adopt more restrictive measures than those presented here. In this case, it is the restrictive measures specified in this municipal decree that apply.
The water resources monitoring committee will meet again on September 5th.
See the full press release ICI
2023-08-31 13:12:44
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