“We can continue to develop, but we have to be reasonable,” exclaims Thierry Vatin, managing director of the Artois Picardie Water Agency. Accompanied by five other Hauts-de-France specialists, he sounded the alarm during a press briefing on Wednesday in Lille. For six years now, the lack of water has been sorely felt in the water tables.
But the warning does not seem to affect citizens enough. As proof, the basements are dry. Why was the region, little known for its sunny climate, so marked by drought?
Almost all samples are taken underground
First of all, it is a geographical question. Unlike, for example, the region of New Aquitaine, Hauts-de-France is a flat territory. There are no mountains, so there is no possibility of collecting water there. In fact, in the region, the main source of water is located under our feet: 95% of water withdrawals are underground.
In addition, aquatic storage is disturbed by urbanization. Indeed, Hauts-de-France is one of the most industrialized French regions, whether through the installation of factories or the development of agricultural mechanization. This industrialization has led to a modification of natural areas. A concrete floor prevents the earth from breathing. Even if it rains, the water cannot reach the ground, and therefore feed the groundwater.
In addition, the year 2022 had a devastating effect on groundwater: summer with 32 days of waves including a peak of 41°C in Lille, but also autumn and dry winter. If one could think that the rain of the last few weeks had caught up with the lack, in reality, it is far from being the case. “These last rainy events have certainly been able to replenish the soil, which has been beneficial for vegetation and farmers, but the water tables are absolutely not filled,” says Julien Labit, regional director of the Environment (Dreal). According to Thierry Vatin, “out of a volume of 530 million m2, a loss of 20% of water resources was felt in groundwater, ie 100 million m2 less”.
Possible solutions?
“We want to succeed in the areas of water, as in energy this winter,” explains Julien Labit. According to the Dreal, three solutions are possible: sobriety, the optimization of resources, making it possible to recharge the water tables and the restoration of the great cycle of nature. “We have to save money all year round, not just in summer,” warns Thierry Vatin.
According to Julien Labit, a French person consumes 150 liters of water per day. Reducing shower time to three or four minutes would reduce the amount of water used by 20%. On the agricultural side, experts favor placing more drips to irrigate crops. Added to this is the preservation of hedges and peat bogs (wetlands colonized by vegetation) which retain water.
On the industrial side, do not install factories on wet land, favor the decarbonization, innovations and research adapted to electricity. Training with administrations, but also at school are being deployed to change behavior. A way to educate the adults of tomorrow.