Drought in France: More Than 40,000 People Affected by Water Supply Disruptions

Paris - 12 August 2026: More than 40,000 people in France are already affected by disruptions to drinking water supplies, according to Environment Minister Monique Barbut. On Wednesday, the minister called on prefects to order necessary usage restrictions more swiftly and to monitor compliance more intensively. In many areas, the consequences of the drought are now extending directly to the population's basic water supply.The Environment Ministry describes the situation as an unusually early and severe summer drought. According to its latest figures, water-use restrictions are in effect in 97 departments, ...