France drought: 63% of aquifers below normal, nearly 70% of country under water restrictions

Groundwater deterioration

As of August 1, 2026, 63% of France's groundwater observation points showed levels below seasonal normals, the BRGM, France's national geological survey, announced at a press conference on August 10. The figure is nearly 10 points higher than a month earlier, when 54% of points were below normals on July 1. Some 94% of metropolitan groundwater reserves showed declining recharge levels, with only one aquifer, the Sundgau south of Colmar, displaying "stabilized recharge." The situation is worse than at the end of July 2025, when 44% of levels were below normals, but has not yet reached the severity of 2022, a year of historic drought in France, when 73% of aquifers were below normals on August 1.

Heat and rainfall deficit

Météo-France data show July 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded in France and the third-driest July on record, with a national rainfall deficit of nearly 70%. Two heat waves struck during the month: the first, from July 4 to 19, was the third-longest ever recorded in France. The second began on July 28 and was still ongoing as of August 10. Hydrogeologist and BRGM member David Ratheau noted "a much more intense draining of these aquifers from June 1" 2026, linked to the rainfall deficit and increased water demand during the heat waves.

63% of observation points are below normal seasonal levels, with more degraded levels this year than the previous year.

The BRGM described local situations as "degraded," with "very low" levels in the Limousin basement aquifers and the Côte des Bar limestones in southern Champagne. Conditions were satisfactory around the Mediterranean periphery, where levels were near or moderately above average. Deficit areas included Lorraine, Champagne, Charente, and the eastern Massif Central.

Water restrictions

On August 10, the Ministry for Ecological Transition announced that nearly 70% of French territory was under water usage restrictions.

While France is experiencing a particularly intense drought, the effects of climate change continue to aggravate tensions on water resources and nearly 70% of French territory is subject to water use restrictions.

As of August 9, all 99 metropolitan departments were at least at the alert level: 67 were classified in crisis, the highest level, and 21 in heightened alert. At the crisis level, water use is limited to priority purposes such as health, civil safety, drinking water, and sanitation, with restrictions on irrigation, pool filling, car washing, and watering green spaces.

On July 27, Minister for Ecological Transition Monique Barbut reported that 47 departments faced drinking water supply problems and that over 30,000 people in 80 municipalities were already experiencing water cutoffs, requiring supply by tanker trucks or bottled water. The government announced a crisis meeting for Wednesday, August 12, bringing together the Committee for Hydrological Forecasting and Monitoring (CASH) and regional prefects to analyze the hydrological situation and develop a drought management strategy.

Agricultural impact

France's corn harvest is estimated to be the smallest since 1980, as searing temperatures and drought batter crops, according to the agriculture ministry. Total production of wheat, barley, and other grains is forecast to decline 5.2% from the previous year.

Outlook

The BRGM indicated that forecasts for coming months remain "uncertain" and will depend largely on any summer rainfall. Given vegetation water needs, elevated temperatures, and continued aquifer depletion, the agency warned that without rain in the coming weeks, drinking water disruptions could occur.