According to the Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières (BRGM), after a drought that has been the most intense on record, the level of groundwater is still "worryingly low" due to rains that cannot seep deep into the soil.
Groundwater levels were generally decreasing at the end of August, but the stormy weather that often occurs at this time had only a very limited impact, despite the limitations on withdrawals imposed during the summer.
They state that the vast majority of groundwater levels are at best moderately low, with only a handful of them proving to be around average.
Filling of the aquifers remains"unsatisfactory for most of them."
The position is of particular concern in the south-east, in the Rhone, Provence and the Côte-d'Azur.
Nevertheless, not all areas of France are suffering to the same degree and the agency states that in the parts of the north (Marne, Grand Est, Hauts-de-France) the Adour basin, the Garonne and Dordogne, as well as the plains of Roussillon, water levels are generally around normal.
The graphic below shows a summary of the situation across the country as at the beginning of last month.
According to Meteo France, during 2021/2022 the cumulative rainfall deficit throughout most of the country, averaged -25%, with only two months where there was excess rainfall: December 2021 (+18%) and June 2022 (+34%).
The deficit reached -25% to -50% from the south of the Pays de la Loire and Poitou-Charentes to the south-west of the Centre-Val de Loire, as well as on the eastern flank of France.
Conversely, a surplus of +10% to +25% from the Lot to the Pyrenees, or even +25% to +50% on the east, was often measured.
Outlook
Meteo France are forecasting warmer conditions than normal in the current quarter, with no scenario for significant precipitation, except for local occurrences. As a result, BGRM considers that although rainfall will moisten soils and vegetation it will not infiltrate into the aquifers.
Groundwater levels at the beginning of winter will therefore be "significantly lower than last year."
As a result, BRGM considers the refill for 2022/23 will have to be "particularly abundant and long" if the reserves are to be replenished.
The maintenance of water use restrictions therefore seems inevitable this autumn, and most departments of France remain affected by water saving measures.
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