River at Highest Alert Level

The Garonne River, which originates in the Val d’Aran, is now in a state of "crisis" between the Pyrenees and Toulouse, the highest level on France’s hydrological alert scale. The Haute-Garonne prefecture announced the measure on Friday 25 September, triggering exceptional water restrictions across 136 communes from Saturday 26 September. This is the first time any section of the Garonne has reached the "crisis" level, reflecting an unprecedented drought driven by persistently high temperatures and rainfall deficits exceeding 50% since early June. The river had been elevated to "reinforced alert" just 15 days earlier, on 12 September.

Reserves Dwindling

Mountain reservoirs in the Pyrenees, which have historically supported river flow during dry periods, are now nearly depleted. Authorities report that less than 40% of usable water reserves remain, with levels around 30% in the upper basin. Officials from the public water management body, Établissement Public Garonne, say they can no longer sustain water releases to maintain river flow. Jean-Michel Fabre, president of the Établissement Public Garonne, stated: "We are now truly in crisis", urging all users to reduce consumption. While drinking water supply remains secure for now, officials acknowledge it has become a growing concern.

"We have never known a summer like 2026 on our territory, and we are facing a combination of two parameters never reached before: it has never been this hot, and it has never rained this little,"

, Baptiste Mandard, Secretary General of the Haute-Garonne prefecture, told AFP.

Strict Water Restrictions

Under the new measures, communities including Colomiers, Cugnaux, Pibrac, Plaisance-du-Touch, Tournefeuille, and Villeneuve-Tolosane face severe limits on water use. Gardens and lawns may not be watered, except for young trees and shrubs under three years old. Vegetable gardens may only be irrigated outside peak hours, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Private car washing is banned unless for health reasons, and filling or refilling domestic swimming pools is prohibited. Agricultural irrigation is largely forbidden, with limited exceptions for specific crops. Industrial users with direct water extraction permits must reduce withdrawals by 25%.

  • 136 communes now under "crisis" rules (up from six previously)
  • Drinking water supply not currently threatened
  • Restrictions in place until end of October, pending autumn rains

The northern stretch of the Garonne remains at "reinforced alert" for now. Authorities stress that no significant rainfall is forecast before the end of September, and water levels are expected to continue declining.

Reported by tf1info.fr, nouvelobs.com, huffingtonpost.fr, actu.fr, ladepeche.fr, La Valira.