Ban on new swimming pools in parts of France amid drought ‘crisis’
We need to get out of our culture of abundance, Frances Ecological Transition Minister Christophe Bechu said on Friday Sales of swimming pools are being banned in parts of France as drought conditions continue to grip the country. Pyrenees-Orientales, a department on the Mediterranean coast bordering Spain, will be declared at a crisis drought level next week. We need to get out of our culture of abundance, Frances Ecological Transition Minister Christophe Bechu said in a radio interview on Friday morning. Filling existing swimming pools, car-washing and watering gardens will also be banned on 10th May in the region. So far a handful of areas have declared crisis situations but overall, nearly half of France is facing some level of water shortages. Minister Bechu explained the reasoning behind the step. The Pyrenees-Orientales is a department that has not known a full day of rain in over a year, he said. When you are in a crisis like this, it is really quite simple. Its drinking water and nothing else. Climate change is here and now... We need to show far more restraint in how we use the resources we have. Mr Bechu warned that some 2,000 French villages and towns are at risk of losing their water supply this year. Europe experienced its hottest summer ever in 2022, and more extreme temperatures are expected in the coming months. The heat combined with less rainfall led to widespread drought across the continent with devastating consequences for agriculture, river transport and energy production. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial This winter was subsequently Frances driest since record-keeping began in 1959. Unseasonable warmth across mountain ranges like the Alps and Pyrenees also meant little run-off from snowpack this spring to quench arid land. While there was decent rainfall in March, it has not been enough to restore water levels, leaving only Brittany, Frances most northwesternmost region on the Atlantic, and Aquitaine in the southwest, somewhat stable. Residents have shared images of dried-up riverbeds and vastly depleted lakes from across France. In Pyrenees-Orientales, aquifer levels have declined so much that there is concern sea water could seep into the supply, endangering the tap water supply. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies A dead catfish on the dried river bed of the Agly River in Rivesaltes, Pyrenees-Orientales. The region has been one of the worst affected by a winter drought AFP via Getty Images Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Log in New to The Independent? Or if you would prefer: Want an ad-free experience? Hi {{indy.fullName}}