MAP: areas of France suffering most from groundwater shortages
The dry autumn has not let water tables recover from the summer
Rivers frequently run dry in summer (photo: Rousillion), but water tables typically refill in SeptemberEQRoy / Shutterstock
Richard HenshellRichardHenshell
PublishedModified
Many areas of France are still suffering from groundwater shortages after the dry autumn has not let water tables refill.
Water tables are usually replenished by the autumn rains, but the record breaking warm autumn weatherhas prevented this from happening in 2023.
鈥淭he situation is of great concern in some areas,鈥� said Violaine Bault from the Bureau de recherches g茅ologiques et mini猫res (BRGM), which monitors the water tables.
鈥淚t really depends on the sector: some areas are really worrying, particularly along the Rh么ne-Sa么ne corridor, in Roussillon, and the C么te d'Azur and Var, where it is getting worse year on year,鈥� she told .
In other areas the water tables are relatively healthy due to receiving more plentiful rainfall in spring and summer.
How low are the water tables in France?
Pic: BGRM / The Connexion
"Usually vegetation becomes dormant in autumn and requires less water, so the first storms of September begin to refill the water tables,鈥� Ms Bault said.
Autumnal weather is on its way, albeit later than usual, with a significant drop in temperature forecast from October 14.
