The situation of groundwater in France remains “very worrying”, despite “normal” rainfall in October

The situation of groundwater in France remains “very worrying” at the end of October, the Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM) announced on Monday, November 9.

“Although there has been a return of rain in the territory for the month of October, the water table situation remains mainly degraded (...) with the exception of the South and the South-East”, specified the national geological service, in its monthly bulletin.

As of November 1, 64% of water table observation points are below normal, compared to 66% a month earlier, details the BRGM. However, unlike previous months marked by significant rain deficits, October was a month "consistent with normal" in terms of rainfall, Météo-France declared last week. Several Mediterranean episodes with intense rains even occurred in the southern part of the country. But following this, groundwater recharge has only started at 27% of observation points, while 55% of them continue to see their level drop.