Drought Alert Declared in Ille-et-Vilaine Amid Water Crisis
Ille-et-Vilaine faces severe drought alert as water levels plummet, prompting usage restrictions.
Key Points
- • Drought alert in Ille-et-Vilaine declared on July 11, 2025.
- • Significant rainfall deficits range from 30% in central areas to 70% on the coast.
- • Rapid decline in river flows and critical water reservoir levels noted.
- • All users urged to voluntarily reduce water consumption.
As of July 11, 2025, the Ille-et-Vilaine department has been placed under a drought alert due to alarmingly low water levels affecting drinking water and other vital resources. This decision comes after a notably dry spring, which has exacerbated an already severe drought situation. The region experienced significant rainfall deficits ranging from 30% in central areas to nearly 70% along the coast, leading to a rapid decline in river flows and critical levels in water supply reservoirs.
The alert status represents the second tier of a four-level drought classification system and was unanimously recommended during a meeting of the water resource management committee on July 8. With reservoirs depleting faster than expected, the prefect has implemented strict restrictions on water use to mitigate the impact of this crisis.
Officials are calling on all users—residential, industrial, and agricultural— to voluntarily reduce their water consumption. "Everyone must do their part to manage our water resources carefully during this critical time," stated local authorities. Previously, on June 13, 2025, the department was under vigilance status due to deteriorating hydrological conditions, highlighting the urgent need for water conservation efforts in the region.