Following a particularly hot and dry September, the beginning of October saw heavy rainfall on October 6th and 7th, making the month generally exceed normal levels. In this context, the hydrological situation in Gironde requires an adaptation of current measures.
Consequently, after consulting the members of the low-flow management operational unit, Sophie BROCAS, prefect of Gironde, has issued a new order that eases temporary water use restrictions based on the evolving situation in two watersheds.
This order downgrades the water restriction level to "REINFORCED ALERT" for the Saye – Meudon – Lary watersheds and the eastern coastal areas of the Bassin d’Arcachon. Restrictions are adapted, notably concerning domestic and secondary uses:
• watering of vegetable gardens, including non-agricultural greenhouses: prohibited from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.;
• watering of lawns, gardens, green spaces, sports fields: prohibited;
• filling of public and private swimming pools: prohibited, except for topping up and initial filling (if construction started before the first restrictions);
• washing of vehicles by individuals: prohibited.
• watering of lawns, gardens, green spaces, sports fields: prohibited;
• filling of public and private swimming pools: prohibited, except for topping up and initial filling (if construction started before the first restrictions);
• washing of vehicles by individuals: prohibited.
For agricultural uses, the prohibition of water abstraction is set at 3.5 days per week, specifically Wednesday, Thursday morning, Saturday, and Sunday.
Furthermore, several other watersheds remain under different restriction levels: "CRISIS" for the Virvée-Moron, Gravouse – Seignal, Fongaband-Langrane, Lidoire, Barbanne-Lavié-Palais, and Laurina–Jalle de Ludon; "REINFORCED ALERT" for the Gua – Deyre – Talais channel, Jalle de Castelneau, canal des étangs, Jalle de Blanquefort, Bassanne – Beuve – Brion, Lisos, Gaillardon-Euille, Pimpinne, Laurence, Livenne, Andouille and Gamage-Escouach, and the Garonne lateral canal; and "ALERT" for the Vignague, Isle Aval, Dronne aval, and Garonne aval.
All detailed measures are available on the prefecture's website. Irrigations using resources not covered by these orders are not affected.
At this stage, no restriction measures have been triggered for uses from the drinking water supply network, which draws from deep aquifers less sensitive to low water levels. However, the entire department remains on alert, as these aquifers are heavily utilized due to year-round abstraction. Therefore, economical management of the resource is necessary, especially for uses drawing water from boreholes or the drinking water network (e.g., watering lawns), even in areas where no restrictions are in place.
