French President Emmanuel Macron has called for water conservation across the country in view of France’s months-long drought. “Due to climate change, we will have about 30 to 40 percent less water available in 2050 than now. That is why we need to adapt to long-term water conservation,” Macron said on Thursday.
In Savines-le-Lac in the French Alps, Macron presented a national water plan with no fewer than 50 measures. All sectors must therefore submit a plan to use 10 percent less water by 2030.
Reuse water from sewage treatment plants
In addition, by then ten percent of the water from sewage treatment plants must be reused. Currently, only one percent of the so-called gray water is reused in France, in Spain it is 15 percent. At the same time, regulations are being simplified to encourage the use of rainwater.
Water prices must be spread in the future so that excessive consumption becomes expensive. “That doesn’t mean the water will be expensive,” Macron said. Higher prices are only for “convenience consumption”, he stressed, without citing examples.
Nuclear power plants must use less water in the future
The French nuclear power plants must also use less water in the future. “We need to adapt our nuclear power plants to climate change,” the president said. Future investments should make it possible to “work more with closed circuits”, Macron explains. Last summer, several nuclear power plants had to be throttled because the cooling water threatened to heat up rivers with low water levels too much.
According to Macron, more than half of the water from nature in France is used to generate electricity. The Ministry of the Environment had presented new figures the night before, according to which the nuclear power plants use three times less water than previously assumed. According to this, nuclear power plants account for only 12 percent instead of the previously assumed 31 percent of total water consumption.
Major grants announced
Macron announced massive financial support to enforce more efficient water use. Some 180 million euros would be available annually to repair damaged lines. About 20 percent of water is currently lost through faulty pipes, up to half of the water in some regions.
“80% of groundwater reserves are not sufficiently filled”
The president pointed out that 80 percent of groundwater reserves are currently not sufficiently filled and that 15 departments have already limited water consumption. In January and February, France had 32 consecutive days without precipitation for the first time since measurements began.
The protest against Macron’s pension reform continues
For Macron, it was the first appointment outside Paris in more than two months. Dozens of protesters gathered to vent their anger at the pension reform. The protesters have a right to express their views, but he will not let this stop him from his work, Macron said. “We have to make progress, there are still big construction sites,” he stressed.
Source: Krone
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