Drought Crisis: Government Accused of Delaying Action

As France grapples with an unprecedented drought, the government is not meeting the challenges effectively, according to a warning from France Nature Environnement (FNE).

Currently, 62 departments are under a crisis level, water supply tensions exist in 47 departments, and 30,000 people are without tap water, as reported during a meeting of the committee for hydrological anticipation and monitoring on July 27.

This concerning situation should prompt a swift response from authorities. Indeed, from July 3, prefects are required to issue orders that restrict water extraction and consumption within “a maximum period of three working days upon crossing critical thresholds.” However, FNE has observed “unexplainable delays” in several regions.

For instance, in the Hauts-de-France region, “the three departments of Somme, Aisne, and Oise are currently only on alert, with no restrictions in place,” despite river flows dropping below alert levels, noted the environmental federation. Additionally, as previously reported, the Rural Coordination has urged its members to defy water usage restrictions for irrigation. In Lot-et-Garonne, the union has also threatened retaliation if state inspections occur.

On July 27, Monique Barbut, the Minister of Ecological Transition, emphasized that “adhering to restriction measures is not optional, it is a duty.” FNE, however, finds this response inadequate.

“The sluggishness of prefects in enforcing the planned regulations and the lack of formal responses to the provocations by the Rural Coordination reflect several months of unconditionally accepting a narrative that prioritizes water access for irrigators,” stated Nicolas Richard, president of FNE, in a press release.