As of late summer 2025, nearly 20% of mainland French departments reported moderately high groundwater levels, with 30 departments around average and 27 below average, according to Info Sécheresse. While overall levels are better than 2024, regional disparities exist, with low levels in areas like Lozère.
Key Findings on French Water Tables:
Regional Variation: Late summer 2025 saw high levels in the west/central regions and below-average levels in parts of the south (notably Pyrénées-Orientales).
Summer Trend: Despite early replenishment, ~87% of water tables were falling in early July 2025 due to summer heat and reduced rainfall.
Impact: 62% of Frances drinking water comes from groundwater, which also supports extensive agricultural irrigation.
Monitoring: The Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières (BRGM) monitors these levels to manage drought risk.
While the situation is generally healthier than the severe drought of 2022, some regions remain “critically low”.
