Drought: thanks to recent downpours, the Var region is spared new restrictions

Two-thirds of the water used in the Var region depends on what flows directly through its territory. The remaining third comes from so-called stored resources, mainly in the reservoirs, the lakes of Castillon (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) and Sainte-Croix. This shows how dependent we are on the rain that falls on our territory.

In this respect, 2025 is relatively good . Yes, the start of the year was wet, which is good news, but "the very favorable situation quickly deteriorated," observes the Var prefecture, following the meeting of the Water Resources Committee (CRE). This deterioration is the result of a June that was both "significantly drier than average," but also historically hot (marked by an early heatwave).

"Sharply declining" flow rates

Although river levels remain "high" for the start of the summer season, "flows are falling sharply ." The Var prefect anticipates a point of vulnerability in the Gapeau watershed, with one of its tributaries being "close to the alert threshold," describes Simon Babre.

This is the Réal-Martin , "fed by runoff water in the Maures massif ," explains Aurélien Boéri, facilitator for the Gapeau watershed joint union. Since there has been no rain since April, the Réal-Martin is running out of steam very quickly."

The only exception was the rain that fell on the department during the night from Sunday to Monday, temporarily loosening the grip of drought.

It rained really well in the Centre-Var and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, and even up to 30 mm in Montauroux and the Pays de Fayence (north-east of the department), an area which has experienced shortages and drastic limitations in the past.

This shows how decisive this summer rainfall is. "We have not moved up a gear thanks to this rain," the prefect continued, noting the prospect of a possible rainy episode by the end of the week.

Four municipalities on "alert"

Since July 15, four Var municipalities have been experiencing water usage restrictions . In the far west of the department, Riboux and Saint-Zacharie (Huveaune Amont zone), Pourrières and Pourcieux (Arc Amont zone) are classified as "Drought Alert", yellow (level 2 on a scale of 4).

Main restrictions : watering gardens and vegetable patches is prohibited during the day (but possible from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.); filling swimming pools after complete emptying is also prohibited. Washing vehicles is also prohibited, except by a professional. Compared to previous years, an effort to simplify the rules has been made, summarized in a document available on the prefecture's website .

"This rather favorable situation compared to 2022 should not lead to a relaxation of behavior, because we are still at the stage of vigilance," concludes the Var prefect. "Sobriety can allow us to avoid restrictions for as long as possible."

Better solidarity between towns and countryside

For the first time this year, territorial solidarity between upstream and downstream regions has been formally established. "We have enshrined this principle in the interdepartmental framework decree," explains Pascal Jobert, drought project manager at Dréal Paca. "When there are restrictive measures in a watershed, there must be no more than one level of difference with the downstream basin." The severity levels are: Vigilance, Alert, Heightened Alert, and Crisis.

It was a pressing demand from inland communities, angered by the harsh restrictions imposed, while coastal communities were still watering the lawns at their roundabouts. Even though the water doesn't have the same source, the "principle of fairness from the citizen's point of view" prevails.