France imposes water use restrictions amid drought alerts

The French government has placed the Pyrénées‑Atlantiques department and the Ille‑et‑Vilaine department under drought vigilance. In the Basque Country, the prefect of Pyrénées‑Atlantiques, in coordination with the Community of Agglomeration Pays Basque, declared an "Alert" level for potable water use, banning irrigation of gardens and sports fields between 8 am and 8 pm, prohibiting filling of private pools larger than 1 m³, and restricting vehicle and facade washing. Similar restrictions apply in Ille‑et‑Vilaine, where watering of lawns, sports grounds and golf courses is prohibited during daylight hours, and filling of public and private pools is banned. Violations can incur fines up to €1 500 for individuals and €7 500 for businesses, with penalties doubling on repeat offences.

Air quality in the Pyrénées‑Atlantiques has also worsened due to fires in nearby Gironde and Landes, prompting health advisories for vulnerable populations to avoid intense physical activity outdoors. Both departments urge residents to conserve water and adopt simple measures such as installing flow restrictors on taps.