A summer under high tension. The low rainfall of recent months is beginning to be felt in France. Many departments have been placed on drought alert or vigilance. In recent weeks, it is the department of Pyrénées-Orientales that worries the most. Already affected by new fires as early as this month of May, the territory has already been classified as a “drought crisis”, the highest level of alert that can be put in place. More generally, many departments see their water tables at a very low level.
In view of these difficult conditions expected for this summer period, some prefectures have taken the lead. Indeed, the various prohibitions concerning restrictions are applied through decrees. Now, deviating from the restrictions could cost you dearly. Controls will be established in collaboration with various authorities.
In view of the concerns about this acute drought, already present and to come in certain territories of France, the Ministry of Ecological Transition has published a map listing the various departments on alert. Among them are Aude, Hérault, Gard, Bouches-du-Rhône, Var and Alpes-Maritimes, as well as Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Vaucluse. Drôme and Ardèche are also concerned, as well as Ain, Haute-Saône, Loiret, Seine-et-Marne, Yvelines, Oise, Vienne and Deux-Sèvres.
The various instructions given aim to limit the spread of this drought as much as possible, which could have disastrous consequences on French territory. Note that these restrictions vary depending on the alert level of your department. In order to know them, you can consult the guide of these water restrictions extended to all of France.
After drastic restrictions, it is now the turn of controls to see the light of day. In the Pyrénées-Orientales, the department most affected by the drought, will first face patrols. This mission is carried out by the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) in collaboration with different levels of authorities. More than 1,700 inspectors spread over the territory will be deployed to check whether these drought decrees are respected. “The control phases will be carried out by the security forces and the water police in conjunction with the public prosecutor”, as indicated by the OFB.
Nevertheless, the controls are therefore “adapted to the territory and prioritized according to local” issues. The agents also go as a priority to the geographical areas where the water resource is threatened, the organization further indicates.
The prefect of the Pyrénées-Orientales, Rodrigue Furcy, wants “everyone to participate” in this effort to respect the measures, as specified for France Bleu. Following the checks carried out by the environmental inspectors, with regard to questions of watering public places (sports grounds, golf courses, etc.) but also in private homes, the agents will have the right to draw up a report addressed to the public prosecutor the Republic.
If some people do not respect the rules imposed and justify themselves by a lack of knowledge of the decrees and the restrictions concerning their place of residence, they will be redirected to the Propulvia website, listing the decrees. However, the fines going against those who derogate from these rules, can amount to up to 1,500 euros for individuals and 7,500 euros for companies, specifies the public prosecutor, Jean-David Cavaillé.