This Friday evening, the prefect of Jura announced new measures to temporarily restrict the use of water by means of an order which reinforces the measures taken previously.
“The department experienced a month of May marked by a rainfall deficit of around 70 to 80% compared to normal”, recalled David Philot. “The few stormy showers in June did not make up for this deficit. Coupled with high, even scorching temperatures, the state of water resources has therefore continued to deteriorate, with soil drying out and a drop in river flows and groundwater levels.
The entire department is thus placed on “enhanced alert” at the level of so-called surface water. This leads to the application of new constraints:
– everyone (individuals, communities, companies, farmers) is asked to save water consumption (filling swimming pools, watering, baths, various washes, etc.).
– the watering of vegetable gardens, trees and shrubs planted in the ground for less than 1 year and sports grounds is prohibited from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The watering of lawns and flower beds and other green spaces are prohibited.
– sprinkler irrigation of crops is prohibited from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., except for corn and soybeans and except when a localized irrigation system is used (drip, microsprinkler, etc.)
– the filling of private swimming pools and whirlpool baths over 1 m³ is prohibited.
– the filling or emptying of bodies of water is prohibited.
– supplying public and private fountains with an open circuit is prohibited, insofar as this is technically possible.
– washing vehicles is prohibited for private use at home but remains authorized in professional car washes equipped with high-pressure equipment or a water recycling system.
– the cleaning of waterproofed surfaces (facades, roofs, sidewalks, etc.) is prohibited.
It should be noted that the sectors of Bresse and the Dole region are also placed in a situation of “vigilance” with regard to their groundwater.