How to wake up your swimming pool when temperatures get warmer We look at the different steps you need to take to get your pool ready for the warmer days ahead
Crisis level for drought already in place in areas of south of France Restrictions already place limits on filling pools and cleaning cars
Record rain refills water table in France but issues remain for 2024 As of December 1, rainfall had refilled almost half to ‘above-average’ levels for the season
practical SEE: where water tables in France have refilled the most Half of the groundwater reserves are above their normal levels after a wet autumn
What is France's 'drought' website VigiEau? You can type in your address to find out whether you can do things like fill your swimming pool or water the garden
Reusing household water to flush toilets may get green light in France A new law is expected to relax rules on greywater use as government tries to combat effects of drought
MAP: areas of France suffering most from groundwater shortages The dry autumn has not let water tables recover from the summer
More ‘crisis’ level drought alerts in France, water reserves stay low Residents are asked to check if and what restrictions apply to them
Why peanuts and pistachios are the future of French farming Farmers must grow completely different crops adapted to extreme weather, says scientist
France to support industrial sites in bid to hit water saving target The government hopes to reduce water use by 10% by 2030 and pledges to work with high-use companies
Drought: French city to give water-saving shower heads to residents The devices will be distributed for free and can save up to 40% of water, say authorities
Water restrictions not used effectively during France’s drought The rules were brought in too late and cannot be enforced, say experts
France drought: checks find hundreds breaking water usage rules 6,000 checks have been carried out this year and will continue into autumn. Those breaking rules risk fines of up to €1,500 (€7,500 for businesses)
Summer rain has not helped France’s low groundwater levels - minister More than 30 departments are also on crisis alert for drought
Map: The 28 French departments at high risk of drought this summer Official guidelines on how water restrictions should be applied have also been updated
Seven tips on how to save water and reduce your bills in France It comes as the government announces plans to cut its consumption by 10%
France allows local authorities to use wastewater after record drought The use of wastewater for civic tasks such as street cleaning or vehicle washing will save precious drinking water
Warm weather, drought and fires: why it may feel like summer in France Higher-than-normal temperatures and the impact of a record winter dry spell make it feel more like August than March
Drought: Building permits suspended in nine south of France communes Local authorities say there is not enough water available to welcome new residents or allow more building projects to take place in the area
Bring in water restrictions from now, French prefects told The ecology minister said he was ‘alarmed’ by the low water levels in the country. A new meeting with prefects is planned for March 6 for an update on the situation
Water restrictions set to launch as France faces chronic lack of rain People are being called on to make efforts from now to save water, especially when it comes to activities such as car washing and the filling of swimming pools
Why the month of March will be decisive for droughts in France A lack of rainfall over winter and mild temperatures mean next month’s weather will be crucial before the arrival of spring
Water restrictions imposed in southeast France due to drought alert 17 communes are concerned due to the twin issue of high temperatures and low rainfall in 2022
How France plans to tackle increasing water shortages ‘Nature is leaving us no option’ said the Ecology Minister as water table levels remain historically low. Only 1% of water is reused in France
French golf clubs’ plea to relax rules on reusing wastewater Golf courses were criticised for watering greens during last year’s heatwave - but using treated wastewater comes with ‘onerous’ restrictions
Drought in France: 2023 set to be ‘very dry year’ and it starts now We ‘must get used to and better anticipate’ a lack of rainfall, an expert warns, as water levels remain very low
French communes still needing water deliveries after summer drought Mayors in two Nouvelle-Aquitaine communes have called for help as trailer water deliveries continue, months after water levels usually return to normal
Water restrictions maintained into November in southeast France A warm October has not helped the drought conditions, say forecasters. It comes as farmers elsewhere are compensated for losses
Drought measures extended into October in south-east France Restrictions are being maintained as the ‘crisis’ continues in Alpes-Maritimes. It comes as Nice breaks its ‘tropical’ night record
France must manage water better, researchers say after summer droughts Solutions to shortages include recycling wastewater, collecting rainwater and removing salt from seawater
Residents in French town donate pool water for parched green spaces Local authorities hit upon the idea after a resident offered their used pool water to help keep communal areas green in drought conditions
How are French authorities informing people of water restrictions? Readers report mixed experiences in terms of obtaining information with some saying it has been near impossible to work out the rules and others praising the efforts of local authorities
Water restrictions: Fines systematically issued in south-west France Tarn-et-Garonne’s prefect is imposing fines on anyone found to be breaking the rules. Three quarters of the department’s water supplies have already been used
Should France ban private swimming pool use amid drought crisis? An MP says the idea should not be ignored but only be used as a last resort in the combat against droughts
This is how much rainfall France needs to end the drought The recent rain has helped refill rivers and restart plant life, but water table levels still remain dangerously low in some areas
France drought: climate protesters fill golf course holes with plants The Limoges activists followed the example of their peers in Toulouse in opposing the fact that courses can often water their greens despite drought restrictions
French golf course holes cemented over by climate activists The protesters are opposed to the at least partial exemption applied to golf courses when other non-essential usages are completely banned
Water conflicts multiply in France as drought restrictions extended Holes torn in jacuzzis and water stolen from tanks and cemeteries as people take issue with certain water usages and limits
Rainwater, wells: eight questions about water restrictions in France We look at whether you can still draw water from a well or from a rainwater harvesting tank when under a drought alert
France drought: can public car washes stay open despite restrictions? One reader in a drought ‘crisis’ department asks why residents are asked to reduce their water use while car wash centres remain open for business
‘You have to change your lifestyle’: tips to cut water usage in France As water restrictions are declared across France, people are being advised on how to cut back on their consumption
‘No problem’: local feedback in France on 150-litre daily water limit In nine communes in Var in the south of the country, residents are limited to 200 litres per person per day
60 French departments have ‘crisis’ drought alerts as heat continues A nuclear power station faces temporary closure due to the heat with highs of up to 40C expected today before the heatwave abates.
Drought: France faces winter milk shortage, warns farming union head The union leader has called for milk prices to increase to help farmers through a tough period caused by drought and high temperatures
French drought measures: How much water do household appliances use? Local authorities are imposing a daily limit on usage in some places. Around 100 communes now have to have drinking water delivered by lorry
French homes subject to drought rule checks People caught breaking rules on water usage can be fined €1,500, rising to €3,000 for repeat offences
