France's Pyrénées-Orientales region, which borders Spanish Catalonia, is to become the first district in the country to ban the sale of garden swimming pools due to worsening water shortages. From May 10, the region will be officially declared at drought
The move follows warnings that only two regions in France, Brittany and Aquitaine in the south-west, are in a relatively safe position as the country grapples with depleted water tables and a lack of rain. Over 40 districts, equivalent to almost half the country, are already at "alert" or "vigilance" levels, indicating that even worse shortages are likely than last year. President Emmanuel Macron recently announced a nationwide water programme, which includes investment to curb leaks and increase recycling, as well as a "progressive water tariff" under which higher rates would be charged for consumption above a certain quantity, such as for swimming pools.
France's Ecological Transition Minister, Christophe Béchu, explained the reason for the ban, stating, "We need to get out of our culture of abundance. It is to prevent people from being tempted to do what they are in fact not allowed to do anyway - which is to fill them." He emphasized that the Pyrénées-Orientales region has not seen a full day of rain in over a year, and when in a crisis such as this, "it's drinking water and nothing else." Aquifer levels in some parts of the district are so low that experts fear saline seepage from the sea, which would make tap water undrinkable. Low aquifer levels also mean a higher concentration of pollutants, which could severely damage water quality. The minister warned that some 2,000 villages and towns are at risk of losing their water supply this year, with 1,000 municipalities experiencing serious problems last year, and 400 requiring bottles or mobile cisterns.
The move to ban garden swimming pools comes amid growing concerns over the country's water resources. A dry winter, which aggravated the already depleted water tables inherited from 2022, has raised alarm bells. Although a wet March provided partial relief to farmers by moistening the soil ahead of planting, underground water levels remain dangerously low, particularly around the Mediterranean. The situation has prompted the government to take action, with President Macron announcing the launch of a nationwide water programme last month. The initiative includes a EUR1.3 billion investment to upgrade water infrastructure and curb leaks, as well as a EUR300 million fund for farmers to switch to more water-efficient irrigation systems. The president also outlined a "progressive water tariff," under which consumers who use more water would pay higher rates.
The ban on garden swimming pools is just one of several measures being implemented by the government to manage the worsening water shortages. Bans on car-washing, garden-watering, and pool-filling are also being introduced in the Pyrénées-Orientales region. Other districts in France are imposing similar measures. The situation has prompted officials to warn of the potential for a "war over water" triggered by the fall in stocks. Mr. Béchu stated, "The war over water triggered by the fall in stocks is a genuine threat to our national cohesion."
In conclusion, France's Pyrénées-Orientales region is banning the sale of garden swimming pools due to worsening water shortages. With only two regions in France in a relatively safe position, over 40 districts are already at "alert" or "vigilance" levels, presaging even worse shortages than last year. Bans on car-washing,
A CSR Initiative of
Designed and Executed by
Implemented by
Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master, it was rightly said. Electronic devices have grown into an inevitable part of our daily lives.
