The month of July from the month of May. So much for the very worrying observation. Such a hydrological situation was rarely observed in Charente-Maritime. The rain deficit has been very large since the summer of 2021. The levels are therefore low in groundwater and watercourses. According to the latest hydrometric records, we are currently experiencing the third driest season since 1959! A hydrological situation comparable to that of 1976 or even 2011.
Consequences, the prefect of Charente-Maritime has issued orders limiting the use of water, or even a ban in some cases. These measures will apply from this Wednesday, May 18 at 8 a.m. They concern companies, communities and individuals. A few concrete examples: it is forbidden to fill your swimming pool, to wash your car at home or to water your garden between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The list of water use limitations is available on the website of the prefecture of Charente-Maritime. Derogations have been granted for certain types of crops. This is the case for breeders and their fodder, for nurseries, horticulturists and even arboriculturists.
No one can say today what summer will be like – Nicholas Bassier
These measures to limit the use of water were taken on Monday by the prefect of Charente-Maritime, Nicolas Basselier, after the meeting of the “drought” vigilance unit. This tightening of the tap also and above all aims to anticipate the summer season and the influx of tourists. “We have a collective responsibility. Each at our level, we must moderate our use of drinking water to preserve a resource that is particularly precious”, justifies Nicolas Basselier.
“What is certain is that at the present time, the levels that we observe in groundwater and in rivers are particularly low. _No one can say today what summer will be like_. We are a tourist department which welcomes many summer visitors every summer. Of course, this results in a significant increase in the consumption of drinking water during this period. So we have to anticipate this need for drinking water. And for that, it is important now to moderate our uses.
– Eric LeBihan
There is a necessary coordination of water resources with the other departments – Alain Priol
Currently, four basins are “out of order” (irrigation prohibited) and eight others (including two in a tense situation) are on alert in Charente-Maritime. The director of the departmental directorate for territories and the sea (DDTM 17), Alain Priol, observes week after week the lowering of the level of groundwater and rivers. He does not want to be alarmist but the tension is very worrying in mid-May. “We can see that all the rivers are down and this is completely correlated on the one hand with the low rainfall and on the other hand with also the water tables which are particularly low, on the other hand. all the more remarkable on the Charente river which is partially important at our level since we know its importance for drinking water.”
Question: if it continues not to rain for several weeks, is the consumption of drinking water threatened in Charente-Maritime? “We can say how long no one can draw plans on the comet in this capacity“advances cautiously Alain Priol, “Let’s just say that today, it is through this cautious approach to water management, knowing that we are linked, beyond Charente-Maritime of course, to what can also happen in other departments for which coordination is necessary. This is what is done at the level of State services, so as to have coordinated management of water resources at the scale of all the basins, which goes far beyond the Charente Maritime.”