The Dracénie Provence Verdon conurbation is calling for collective responsibility through an awareness campaign: on buses or on posters in the municipalities, the 100,000 inhabitants of the conurbation are called upon to save water by changing their habits. Flyers should soon be distributed to children in schools.
The driest winter for 20 years
The observation is clear: supporting studies show that winter 2021/2022 is the driest for 20 years: 336 mm of water fell in six months this winter, while the average over 20 years is 550mm. The forecasts for next summer are hardly optimistic. Furthermore, the analysis of water resources in the sector shows that the groundwater levels at the end of April are equivalent to those of the month of July or even the end of summer in certain sectors.
In 2021, some municipalities such as Bargemon and Lorgues had already suffered cuts in their drinking water network. In order not to come to this, the agglomeration requires collective awareness, and even “a psychological revolution“, explains its president Richard Strambio, also mayor of Draguignan and regional elected official. For example, Richard Strambio has not put the fountains of his town back into service, “even if they are in closed circuit“.
The gestures to favor are quite simple and already known for the most part.
In the garden, common sense
- Recycle cleaning water and collect rainwater for watering green spaces and maintaining/cleaning exteriors
- Mulch and amond the soil with shredded material on your plantations to limit evaporation and drying out of the soil. It is even more effective if the soil has been tilled.
- Choose endemic plants that save water and are resistant to heat and wind
- Improve watering: water late in the evening or early in the morning, to avoid too rapid evaporation. It is normal for the lawn to turn yellow in summer, it is better not to water at all!
- Prefer grassland to lawn, “weeds”, daisies and dandelions improve the biodiversity and porosity of your soil, which retains water better.
- Permaculture allows you to better organize your vegetable garden: the plants will consume less water.
- Remove any fungicides and other chemicals, as you will have strengthened your soil naturally and water will no longer be an issue. You will also reduce the pollution of the territory’s waters.
- Limit the filling of swimming pools, preferably in April or May. Do not drain your pools, clean them and prefer wintering.
- Wash vehicles in car washes, or with a sponge rather than a hose. Significantly reduce the number of washes.
At home, we limit ourselves and we control our facilities
- Regularly check that your installation has no leaks: write down the meter figures before going to bed and just after waking up. If there is a difference, you have a leak.
- Prefer showers to baths, this reduces water consumption in the bathroom.
- In the toilet, prefer a flush with two buttons. The small button delivers 3 liters against 6 for the big button.
- Toilets are frequently prone to leaks. Check that you have no discharge.
- Equip your home with a water saver and a flow regulator.
- There are connected shower heads, which tell you how much water has been used. Your children will get caught up in the game and you will save on the bill!
Namely, the Var Prefecture updates all the drought measures in the department as well as the stages of vigilance: http://www.var.gouv.fr/le-point-sur-la-secheresse-dans-le -var-a10795.html