Two-thirds of groundwater tables in mainland France are still below normal, Ecological Transition Minister Christophe Béchu announced on CNews on Wednesday, reporting “very serious concerns” about certain areas such as the Rhone corridor and the Mediterranean. The Geological and Mining Research Bureau (BRGM), in charge of groundwater monitoring, is due to publish its full report for the month of May this afternoon. A month ago, 68% of the water tables were at moderately low to very low levels in France, reinforcing fears of another summer drought comparable to, or even worse than, that of 2022.
Since then, it has certainly rained heavily in some regions, but “the rains of May and June are less effective”, because a large part of them are absorbed by the vegetation and therefore do not penetrate to the water tables, main drinking water supplies, explained the Minister.
The Minister for Ecological Transition, Christophe Béchu presents the groundwater map live in
“We have two-thirds of the country where the water tables are below normal, 66% is huge,” said the minister, attributing this situation to the effects of climate change.
With climate change, “the water sometimes falls more abruptly, more concentrated, and a large part of this falling water is absorbed because of the increase in temperature”, with the double consequence of “less water for human activities and, on the other side, disasters caused by runoff and extremely violent storms”, such as those experienced in recent days in certain regions.
“There are therefore very serious concerns” about these areas and “a need to save more water”, he stressed, indicating that around fifteen departments are already experiencing significant water restrictions.