Provence Water Restrictions

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Provence Water Restrictions

As a result of poor rainfall, water restriction have been imposed in certain dry areas.

The government ecological department website has regularly updated data on the restrictions imposed on the communes of France. 

• For maps outlining the degree of restrictions in effect (the sécheresse) see this page of ecologie.gouv.fr 

Map colours describe the dryness conditions which are describes by four categories: 

• Class 1 (white): Situation normal, no restrictions apply.
• Class 2 (pale yellow): Period of vigilance with some restrictions applying
• Class 3 (dark yellow): Serious situation limiting irrigation and use of mains water. 
• Class 4 (orange): Situation serious, exceptional drought and dryness with water restrictions usually prohibiting irrigation and limiting use of mains water.

Guideline to restrictions as of 3 July 2006

Alpes de Hautes Provence (04)

From 30/06/06 until further notice in the whole of the département. Prohibition on:

• Washing cars except at professional car washes
• Washing facades of house, terraces and patios unless as part of building works
• Watering private or public lawns, sports fields, "green spaces" and vegetable gardens from 08:00-20:00
• Filling swimming pools, ponds or private water features

Bouches du Rhone (13)

Areas supplied by the Touloubre, l’Huveaune and the Arc, restrictions from 20/06/06 to 15/10/06. Prohibition on: 

• Washing cars except at professional car washes 
• Washing roads, driveways and pavements
• Washing facades of house, terraces and patios
• Watering private or public lawns, sports fields and "green spaces" from 08:00-20:00 
• Filling swimming pools, ponds or private water features 
• Watering vegetable gardens

Var (83)

From 29/06/06 until 30/09/06 in the whole of the département. Prohibition on:

• Watering private or public lawns, sports fields, "green spaces" and vegetable gardens from 10:00-18:00
• Washing cars except at professional car washes
• Washing roads, driveways and pavements
• Filling swimming pools is only permitted with the authorisation of the municipality

Vaucluse (84)

The areas of the south Luberon and south west of Mont Ventoux and those supplied by the Cavalon and Nesque reservoirs, restriction from 23/06/06 to 30/09/06. Prohibition on:

• Washing cars except at professional car washes (except for vehicles that should be clean for technical, safety or health reasons) 
• Washing roads, driveways and pavements
• Irrigating private or public lawns, pleasure gardens and playing fields
• Irrigating sports stadia and golf courses (except for tees and greens) between 08:00 and 20:00 and all day Thursdays and Sundays
• Irrigation of vegetable plots between 11:00 and 19:00
• Filling up private swimming pools, topping up is allowed between 20:00 and 19:00 only 

From 04/07/06 until 30/09/06 in the area supplied by the Lez, the Aygues and the Ouvèze. Prohibition on:

• Watering private or public lawns from 11:00-19:00
• Watering sports fields and golf courses (except for the tees and greens) from 08:00-20:00
• Washing cars except at professional car washes
• Washing roads, driveways and pavements
• Filling swimming pools and topping up between 08:00 and 20:00

Hautes Alpes (05)

From 10/07/06 until further notice in the area of Buëch and Eygues Oule. Prohibition on:

• Washing cars except at professional car washes
• Watering private or public lawns, sports fields, "green spaces" and vegetable gardens from 09:00-19:00
• Filling swimming pools, ponds or private water features. Topping up between 19:00 and 09:00 is permitted.

More information

• Ministère d'Ecologie et du Développement