Rives & Eaux manages summer drought water supply in South‑West France

Rives & Eaux du Sud‑Ouest operates a network of just under one hundred dams and hydraulic structures that sustain roughly 3,500 km of rivers across Occitanie and Aquitaine. During an intense heat wave with temperatures above 30 °C and weeks without rain, staff in Tarbes monitor water levels, forecasts and usage data around the clock to keep river flows balanced, protect ecosystems and ensure drinking‑water, agricultural and industrial supplies.

The company’s hydrologists, technicians and field agents work alongside the Commission Neste—a grouping of water managers, infrastructure owners, user representatives and state officials—that has met three times since the start of the campaign. The committee coordinates measures to limit water‑stress, guide prefectural restrictions and support farmers, while Rives & Eaux continues 24/7 surveillance, meter reading and on‑site assistance. Public outreach emphasizes respect for water‑service personnel and compliance with regional water‑management decisions throughout the summer.