Are we moving towards a total ban on the use of rainwater? Many Internet users are worried and outraged after the publication of a decree at the end of August. But this does not concern domestic uses.
Will we be able to collect rainwater to water our garden? “All domestic uses of rainwater are now prohibited in France, including watering our gardens” : this is what an Internet user said on YouTube at the end of September. Information also taken up by Florian Philippotthe president of the Les Patriotes party.
But this is not true, it is always possible to water your garden with rainwater collected in the tanks. The confusion comes from a decree dating from the end of August, which concerns the use of wastewater and collected rainwater, but for professional and community uses. These include, for example, businesses, hotels, daycare centers or farms. This decree therefore does not concern the use of rainwater at home.
According to the Civil Code, “every owner has the right to use and dispose of rainwater that falls on his property”. Furthermore, the rules for the domestic use of rainwater are specified in a 2008 decree. It is prohibited to drink it or cook with it. But as the Ministry of Ecological Transition says “you can use rainwater freely outside your home, in particular to water your garden or clean your car“. It is possible to use it, indoors, to wash the floor but also for flushing the toilet and the washing machine. But the conditions are strict, specific equipment is required.
A text intended to simplify the use of rainwater and recycled water
The recent decree is supposed to specify the conditions for using rainwater for non-domestic use. But above all, the text simplifies the procedures for treated wastewater for these types of structures (businesses, public services, communities), explains the water information center.
This involves encouraging the use of this recycled water to clean roads or for watering certain green spaces in particular. For example, health authorities will no longer be able to veto a project whereas before this was the case. Another measure: the volume of reusable water is increased and authorizations will no longer be limited to five years.
This text is still confusing since it indicates that for certain uses, rainwater “not possible”. While there are no doubts about domestic use, some professionals who work in establishments open to the public have questions. They turned to Jean-Paul Markus, professor of public law and author of an article in Les Surligneurs. He sends them back to article R211-128 of the decree which would allow “define for each type of use, when technically possible, the minimum quality requirements which the water must meet, or the general requirements, to enable the protection of human and animal health as well as the protection of the environment. He continues, while remaining cautious: “In other words, the ban would not be absolute, if technical solutions make it possible to ensure the same health safety. We must therefore wait for the implementing orders of the decree to see more clearly on this point.