The decision to remove the beach showers at La Grande-Motte was taken two years ago by the mayor, who wishes to gradually replace them. In the summer of 2023, only two blocks of two showers should remain on the seafront.
More and more municipalities are deciding to remove or replace beach showers with footwashes. In Palavas-les-Flots, in Hérault, the showers disappeared in 2018. The substantial water savings achieved are a good source of motivation. About five million liters of water are saved each summer, half of what was spent until then.
Other municipalities have taken the same decision, including Pornic, Sables-d’Olonne, Grau-du-Roi and Argelès-sur-Mer… In La Grande-Motte, still in Hérault, they will gradually disappear .
On the seafront, a family, buoys in their arms, is disillusioned when they learn that the beach showers in front of them are among the last ones left. “It hurts my heart because they are necessary. We stop there because they are there, otherwise we would not have stopped. A small shower is nice before getting in the car or even before going to eat in the local restaurants. Otherwise, we would have had to go home, take a shower…”, says the father, Carlos. “It feels good because you feel a little cleaner,” adds her daughter.
The foot rinses are enough, think on the contrary Valentin and Ludovic. Take away the showers, they are for.
“I don’t think it’s a bad idea. Most people have an apartment around. We took an Airbnb not far away so if necessary, we use the shower there”, indicates the first. “You can still do without this kind of comfort. We are in a region where there is a lack of water. We often think of ourselves when we need to think a little more about the planet”, adds Ludovic.
Significant water savings
Twenty showers have already been removed. And the mayor of La Grande-Motte, Stéphan Rossignol, sees the difference.
“We went from 2000 m3 of water consumption to 800 m3. So it’s a big saving. People were leaving the beach with their shower gel, their shampoo, before going home,” he explains.
The town hall is already considering recycling the water from the handful of remaining showers. A first test will take place this winter.
