It may have rained in recent weeks in Ille-et-Vilaine, vigilance is still required. Unlike other Breton territories which have all lifted water restrictions, the department remains on drought alert. However, the situation has improved a little, Ille-et-Vilaine being previously on heightened alert. “But this improvement is too timid and the situation remains tense,” said Paul-Marie Claudon, secretary general of the prefecture.
In October, despite a few good showers, the department thus showed a rainfall deficit of around 30% compared to the usual averages. This plays on the flow of the rivers which are doing a bit of a yoyo at the moment. “The rainy episodes have been good and have improved flows, but not in a stable way,” assures Paul-Marie Claudon.
The level of the dams continues to drop
Like the rivers, the dams have also enjoyed the rainfall in recent weeks. But it hasn’t rained enough and the levels continue to drop. “The risk of a drinking water shortage has receded because we have won between 10 and 20 days of production,” underlines Joseph Boivent, president of the joint union for the management of drinking water in Ille-et-Vilaine. But at this time normally, the level of the dams rises and this is not the case this year. »
The next few weeks promise to be crucial. On the rainfall side, 40 millimeters have already fallen on the department since the beginning of November. “But there are still 40 to 60 millimeters missing compared to a normal situation. And even at this level, it will not be enough, ”warn the authorities.
As since this summer, companies and individuals are therefore invited to reduce their water consumption. The message seems to have been heard with a drop in consumption of 5% on average in the department. “There has been an awareness, but we must maintain these efforts to try to avoid a new water crisis in 2023”, indicates Joseph Boivent.