Faced with the drought in Lozère, the prefecture is taking new measures across the department on Monday. All the catchment areas of the department go on heightened alert. The strong rainfall deficit correlated with temperatures well above normal seasonal levels in recent days has led to a significant drop in the flow rates of all the rivers of Lozère, iniquity the Prefecture. “The situation is worrying with fears about the supply of drinking water and the watering of animals“.
The weather forecast predicts a maintenance of high temperatures and no rain at short notice. Faced with this situation, the prefectural decree dated July 18, 2022 places all the catchment areas of Lozère on heightened alert.
For all the watersheds of the department, are now prohibited:
All uses:
– the complete filling of the private swimming poolswith the exception of the first impoundment for those under construction
– the vehicle washing apart from washing in commercial installations with water recycling and having declared to the service in charge of the water police. This restriction does not apply to vehicles with a regulatory obligation (health or food or technical vehicles (chopper, cement mixer, etc.) and for organizations linked to safety
– I’water supply for pleasure canalsin particular those serving the old mills (special attention is given to these operations so as not to harm the fish fauna when these canals are closed)
– the road washing, except health imperative. The use of automatic sweepers and washers is not affected by this ban.
– I’lawn wateringprivate green spaces, pleasure gardens
– watering of green spaces, lawns and public flower beds, excluding drip irrigation
– watering vegetable gardens is prohibited from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
– the watering of green spaces, lawns and public flower beds by drip is prohibited from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
– Istadium watering and sports spaces of any kind (sports fields, golf, etc.) is only authorized on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and prohibited at all other times.
Economic uses
ICPEs must limit their withdrawals to the strict flow necessary for their activities in accordance with their prefectural authorization orders.
Are forbidden, Saturdays and Sundays and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. the other days of the week: – irrigation except for collective irrigation organizations provided with irrigation regulations integrating water saving levels of 50 % validated by the service in charge of the water police, the following are prohibited at all times: – the water supply of the “grass” except as necessary for the watering of the animals. – water supply to the canals of micro power stations.
Exceptions : The various restrictive measures imposed do not apply to samples: ➢ in the “Chassezac” watercourse downstream of the Puylaurent dam; ➢ in the “Chassezac” watercourse downstream of the Rachas dam to supply the Balemo irrigation canal; ➢ in the “Altier” and “La Palhères” watercourses downstream of the Villefort dam to supply the Sapet and Saint-Loup irrigation canals; ➢ in the “La Borne” watercourse downstream of the Roujanel dam to supply the Beaumes irrigation canal; ➢ in the “Allier” watercourse downstream of the Naussac dam as well as in the latter reservoir and in the Mas d’Armand water body; ➢ fish farms which must comply with the restriction instructions of their prefectural decree. These exceptions apply in compliance with the measures that may be taken by the coordinating prefects of the Rhône-Mediterranean, Loire-Brittany and Adour-Garonne basins.