Officials in the Alpes-Maritimes have announced new restrictions on water use in parts of the department. Here’s what you need to know.    

It was a particularly dry July in the Alpes-Maritimes, with a rain deficient of 95% increasing water woes that have dogged the region for much of the year. Snow melt from the winter being down 60% this year and temperatures that have largely remained above monthly averages have also added to a worsening situation.  

Now the Prefecture for the Alpes-Maritimes has announced that it is implementing stricter measures concerning water use in the parts of the department considered to be “critically” parched. This means a revision of previous classifications of towns and cities in the area. 

Communes close to the Cagne, Loup, Estéron and Paillon rivers now find themselves subject to crisis alert restrictions, which means a total ban on car washing and watering gardens and green spaces, with the exception of vegetable gardens benefiting from a drip irrigation system for which the ban on watering applies from 8am to 8pm, and a complete ban on watering in gravity irrigation or by sprinkler. Private swimming pools cannot be topped up or filled. Additionally, companies who wash cars and boats must reduce water use by 60% or close altogether. 

These communes include Valbonne, Opio, Le Rouret, Roquefort les Pins, Tourrettes sur Loup, Vence and Saint Paul de Vence.  

Many coastal destinations, including Cap d’Ail, Eze, Beaulieu sur Mer, Villefranche sur Mer, La Turbie, Roquebrune Cap Martin, Mention and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, are subject to lower level restrictions, being placed in the “alert” category, but moderation should be employed.  

A complete list of the communes and their status can be found here, as well as a breakdown of restrictions. For more information on the situation as a whole, please click here.  

Read more:

Can I water my garden during the drought?

Can I fill up my swimming pool during the drought?

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Photo source: Harry Grout, Unsplash