Alert, heightened alert or even “crisis”… Water restrictions are piling up in France due to the drought. In Franche-Comté, Jura and Haut-Doubs are even in crisis. The measure could extend to all of the Doubs and the Territoire de Belfort.
“This drought is the worst ever recorded in our country,” declares Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, this Friday, August 5. And for good reason, according to Météo France, July 2022 was the driest July since 1959. And this situation could last another fortnight. Reasons which undoubtedly prompted Matignon to activate the interministerial crisis unit. A way to save water resources.
Throughout the territory, measures have already been taken to deal with the drought. As of August 5, 62 departments are in a state of “crisis”, the highest level of alert ever reached. In Franche-Comté, Haut-Doubs and Jura are concerned by these prefectural instructions. From August 10, the entire Doubs department will go to the “crisis” threshold, level 3. The Territoire de Belfort could also soon switch to this last level. What are the consequences for water use?
Watering
- Watering green spaces, as well as lawns, flower beds, etc. forbidden.
- Watering vegetable gardens between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. is prohibited.
- Watering sports grounds is prohibited. That of the golf courses too, except for the greens between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. (the only condition is not to use more than 30% of the usual water volumes).
- For farmers, crops cannot be irrigated, either by sprinkling or by localized (drip) irrigation. For seeds, plants
ornamental and market gardening, irrigation is prohibited from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Swimming pool
- Filling and draining your private swimming pool is prohibited.
- For public swimming pools, renewal, filling and emptying must be subject to authorization by the ARS.
Cleaning and other uses of water
- It is forbidden to wash your vehicle at home or to have it done by a professional.
- The same applies to facades, roofs, sidewalks and other waterproofed surfaces.
- Only priority water withdrawals are authorized (such as drinking water supply).
These measures do not apply in the event of the use of rainwater or recovered water. In addition, the watering of animals is always allowed. Across the country, 62 departments are in crisis, out of the 93 affected by water restrictions. The remaining 31 are subject to more or less strict constraints at level 1 or 2, ie alert threshold and heightened alert threshold.
In Franche-Comté, Haute-Saône and the Territoire de Belfort are at level 2 “Reinforced alert”, for the moment.
Watering
- Watering green spaces is prohibited (except for young trees less than a year old, watering is possible between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.).
- Watering is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. for vegetable gardens.
- The watering of sports grounds and golf courses is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- For farmers, crops can be irrigated by sprinkling between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. And no restrictions for localized (drip) irrigation.
Swimming pool
- Filling and emptying your private swimming pool is prohibited, except for an upgrade or a first filling if the construction site started before the first restrictions.
- For public swimming pools, emptying must be subject to the authorization of the ARS.
Cleaning and other uses of water
- It is forbidden to wash your vehicle at home, except with high pressure equipment.
- It is forbidden to wash facades, roofs, sidewalks and other waterproofed surfaces unless carried out by a community or a company.
professional cleaning. - Only priority water withdrawals are authorized (such as drinking water supply).
In Franche-Comté, no department is affected by level 1, the lowest alert threshold which also entails water restrictions.
Watering
- Watering lawns, flower beds and vegetable gardens is prohibited between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Watering green spaces is prohibited (except for young trees less than a year old, watering is possible between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.).
- The watering of sports grounds is prohibited between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- The watering of golf courses is prohibited between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- For farmers, crops can be irrigated by sprinkling between 6 p.m. and 11 a.m. And no restrictions for localized (drip) irrigation.
Swimming pool
- Filling and emptying your private swimming pool is prohibited, except for an upgrade or a first filling if the construction site started before the first restrictions.
- For public swimming pools, emptying must be subject to the authorization of the ARS.
Cleaning and other uses of water
- It is forbidden to wash your vehicle at home, except with high pressure equipment.
- It is forbidden to wash facades, roofs, sidewalks and other waterproofed surfaces unless carried out by a community or a company.
professional cleaning. - Only priority water withdrawals are authorized (such as drinking water supply).
All restrictions can be found on the website of the Ministry of Ecological Transition. Due to ” critical situation “, if these measures are not respected, penalties are provided for and can go up to 1500€. According to the Prefecture of the Territoire de Belfort, in the event of a repeat offence, the fine may be increased to €3,000 and may even reach €7,000. Daily checks will be carried out by the environmental police.
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