Drought Crisis in the Territory of Belfort

Updated on 28/07/2026

The Belfort urban area (over twenty municipalities in total) is primarily supplied by the Mathay water source in the Doubs department, which has been in crisis status since 17 July 2026. The Savoureuse and several watercourses in the Lepuix area are already experiencing complete drying, leading to numerous emergency fish rescues.

In the Territory of Belfort, there is a direct relationship between the state of watercourses and the production of drinking water.

Under these conditions, it is essential to respect restrictions and prohibitions.

Faced with this concerning situation, following the drought meeting held at the prefecture on Friday, 17 July 2026, and in line with the departments of Doubs and Haute-Saône regarding the Allan river basin, Alain Charrier, Prefect, has decided, by prefectural order, to place the municipalities of Grand Belfort Agglomeration Community and the Southern Vosges Community of the Territoire de Belfort department in CRISIS status as of Friday, 17 July 2026. The municipalities of the Southern Territory Community remain in ENHANCED ALERT.

The most critical threshold in terms of drought, this CRISIS level indicates an alarming situation; restriction and prohibition measures aim to prevent any non-essential use of water resources.

This CRISIS phase triggers increased measures:

* Prohibition of watering flowers, lawns, trees, or shrubs: if rainwater is used, watering must be done between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.

* Prohibition of watering vegetable gardens between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

* Prohibition of private home vehicle washing

* Prohibition of vehicle washing by professionals, except in the case of an autonomous system using rainwater and recycling

* Prohibition of watering roads and sports fields—including at night

* Prohibition of sprinkler irrigation of crops

* Prohibition of filling and emptying private swimming pools larger than 1 m³

* Prohibition of water extraction from rivers and groundwater, except for drinking water managers and for animal watering,

Users of water are urged to exercise civic responsibility and eco-responsibility by moderating non-essential consumption to maintain minimum conditions for drinking water supply and aquatic ecosystem health.

In addition, mayors may adopt more stringent and locally adapted restriction measures by municipal decree, based on the state of the commune's water resources and on grounds of public health and safety.

The VIGI’EAU website provides access to all current water restriction orders in force across the national territory at the following address: <https://vigieau.gouv.fr/>

Alain CHARRIER, Prefect of the Territoire de Belfort, appeals to everyone’s vigilance and civic responsibility to comply with restriction measures. Water resources are scarce: let us remain vigilant and conserve water.

Regarding vehicle washing centers, only those equipped with an autonomous system using rainwater or wastewater recycling, or those performing waterless economical cleaning, remain open.

Associated documents

* [Download collection-90-2026-104-published on -17-07-2026

PDF - 7.87 MB - 17/07/2026](/contenu/telechargement/36038/288594/file/recueil-90-2026-104-publié le -17-07-2026.pdf)