Rhône prefecture declares drought crisis for Saône axis

The Rhône prefecture has escalated the drought status for the Saône axis to a ‘crisis’ level, the most critical of the four available alert stages. This decision, made by Prefect Étienne Guyot following consultations with the Departmental Water Management Committee, follows repeated heatwaves and significant rainfall deficits that have caused Saône river levels and groundwater to drop considerably.

This new designation adds 12 communes within the Lyon Metropolis to the 32 areas already in a crisis state since August 10. Consequently, large portions of the Rhône department, including the north, south, and west, remain under crisis-level restrictions. Other areas in eastern Lyon are currently under ‘reinforced alert’ status.

Under crisis-level restrictions, several activities are prohibited to prioritize drinking water supplies. These include domestic water withdrawals from rivers and aquifers, watering public or private green spaces, watering vegetable gardens during daytime hours (9:00 to 20:00), and filling private swimming pools. Additionally, washing vehicle exteriors at home or at service stations without water recycling equipment, cleaning facades or roofs, and operating open-circuit fountains are also banned.