Drought: the department of Finistère remains in "drought crisis" status

Updated on 04/09/2026

##### Drought: the department of Finistère remains in "drought crisis" status

Since 7 August, the entire department has been placed under "drought crisis" status. This situation follows the observed hydrological deficit since spring, successive heatwaves, and particularly high levels of drinking water consumption during the summer period. Recent rainfall has led to a slight recovery in river flows, but this remains insufficient to permanently reverse the trend. Meteorological forecasts do not currently allow for a significant improvement in the situation.

Within this context, the Water Resources Management Committee (CGRÉ) met on 3 September to review the current status of water resources in Finistère.

Water resources remain vulnerable

Despite recent rainfall, flows at all reference monitoring stations remain particularly low, and groundwater levels are also below seasonal averages.

Furthermore, strategic reservoirs are at filling levels lower than or comparable to those recorded in 2022. At this stage, risks of depleting stocks intended to support low flows in the Aulne and Elorn rivers are not expected before mid-October.

In this context, the entire department remains under « drought crisis » status and the current restrictions are maintained.

The current situation calls for heightened vigilance to limit the risk of disruption to drinking water supply and to preserve various uses of the resource.

The main water restrictions in Finistère continue to apply:

* prohibition of irrigation for field crops, meadows, and open-field crops;

* prohibition of irrigation for special crops between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. (field vegetables, industrial vegetables, diversified market gardening, aromatic plants, horticulture, orchards, small orchards);

* Watering of sports fields prohibited, except for professional clubs between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., and only to the minimum extent necessary;

* Prohibition of vehicle and boat washing. Car wash stations are completely closed;

* Prohibition of cleaning facades, terraces, roofs, and walls;

* Prohibition of watering of green spaces;

* Limitation of drinking water use in industrial processes (-25%).

Monitoring compliance with the prefectural order

State services continue monitoring to verify compliance with restriction measures. Regular coordination is held between the various concerned services.

Over 300 inspections have been carried out since the implementation of restrictions. These inspections have focused in particular on car washes, golf courses, industrial facilities consuming more than 10,000 m³ of water per year, as well as irrigation practices. The rate of non-compliance observed amounts to 16%.

These inspections now lead to the application of penalties provided for in case of non-compliance with measures.

Exemptions examined on a case-by-case basis

Given the situation as of 3 September, exemption requests will be reviewed with greater flexibility, but always with the dual objective of preserving the resource and maintaining economic activity in the department.

On the other hand, State services urge everyone to continue efforts to reduce water consumption. Preserving the resource remains everyone's responsibility, as the risk of strain on drinking water supply remains real.

All restrictions and any possible exemptions are available in the prefectural decree published on the website of State services in Finistère: [https://www.finistere.gouv.fr/Actions-de-l-Etat/Environnement/Police-de-l-eau/Secheresse](https://www.finistere.gouv.fr/Actions-de-l-Etat/Environnement/Police-de-l-eau/Secheresse "Visit the https://www.finistere.gouv.fr/Actions-de-l-Etat/Environnement/Police-de-l-eau/Secheresse website - opens in a new window") and on the following website: [https://vigieau.gouv.fr/](https://vigieau.gouv.fr/ "Visit the https://vigieau.gouv.fr/ website - opens in a new window")

| | | | | |

| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |

| | | | | |