The commune of Bédarieux, nestled in the hinterland of Hérault, has decided to offer its inhabitants 250 drinking water saving kits. “They can be easily found in shops and they are inexpensive compared to the economy they entail, underlines Mayor Francis Barsse (DVG). But we are taking this step on our side, in order to act as an incentive for the population”. These small kits, extremely simple to install on the taps, make it possible to reduce drinking water consumption by 30 to 60% by mixing air with water. The operation should be quickly repeated.
Like the rest of the department, the town is faced with a worrying decline in its water resources. Victim of the hydraulic deficit for several months, the Orb, the river which crosses the municipality of 5,736 inhabitants, has a particularly low level. And the Douze and Joncasse springs, which supply the drinking water network, have a historically low flow rate.
The Hérault department placed on drought alert since 2022
“We signed an agreement with the department of Hérault and launched, six months ago, the search for a new resource to protect us from the possible drying up of our sources”, specifies the mayor. A search that can take several years. In the meantime, the municipality is asking residents for small gestures and trying to set an example, between stopping the watering of green spaces and the stadium lawn, or distributing this kit.
Since 2022, a large part of the Hérault department has been placed on drought alert due to the water deficit. The Aude basin on the downstream side, at the southwestern end of the department, is even placed on heightened alert. A classification called to evolve, and not in a good way: the winter was particularly rainy and the water tables are at their lowest. The prefect should quickly announce a move to the next stage and more restrictive use measures in order to save water resources.