Drought Alert Curbs Farm Irrigation in Parts of Eastern France

Water-use restrictions took effect on June 18 in parts of Saône-et-Loire, in eastern France, after low rainfall since April and recent heat pushed several watersheds into drought alert, according to an order issued by the prefect of the department.

The measures were adopted after a water resources committee meeting on June 17. The affected areas are Arroux-Morvan, Arconce et Sornin, and Grosne, all placed at the Alert level.

In those zones, crop irrigation is now banned from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Farmers using water-saving systems such as drip irrigation, micro-sprinklers or mulching are exempt from the hourly restriction. Market gardeners are not subject to time limits, and watering for livestock remains authorized without restriction.

The order follows what local farm officials described as a rainfall deficit observed since April, combined with high temperatures in recent weeks.

For growers in Saône-et-Loire, the timing matters because the restrictions arrive during an important part of the growing season. For vineyards and other agricultural producers tied to the drinks sector, limits on irrigation could force changes in water management, raise costs and potentially affect decisions on crop quality and harvest volumes, depending on how long the dry conditions last.