Based on multiple recent news reports and updated local coverage, the water restriction situation in the P-O has changed significantly following the heavy rainfall in late December 2025 and mid-January 2026, leading to a real easing of drought conditions and an official announcement on 19 January 2026 about lifting many water restrictions.
🌧️ 19 January 2026 — Prefect Announces Easing of Water Restrictions
Pierre Regnault de la Mothe, préfet des Pyrénées-Orientales, announced a significant reduction in drought-related water restrictions across many parts of the department, linked to the strong and sustained rainfall that occurred in December 2025 and in January 2026, which has substantially replenished water resources.
The prefect described this development as “good news” in the context of the drought situation, thanks to “pluies salvatrices” — lifesaving rains — that have improved the hydrological situation, and stated that most water usage restrictions that had been imposed due to prolonged drought have been lifted or substantially eased.
📊 Why This Change Happened
The easing follows an exceptionally wet period in the Pyrénées-Orientales, especially in December 2025, when rainfall totals were well above normal. This has helped recharge soil moisture and surface water flows and contributed to the recovery of some groundwater levels and reservoirs, making strict drought measures less necessary.
Local reporting indicates that with the improvement in conditions, the government is now confident enough to relax many of the measures that had been enforced to conserve water.
However, at this point, we are unable to find a prefectural decree text publicly published online summarizing all the exact changes (for example, an updated official arrêté listing each use that’s now allowed). The reporting focuses on the change in overall situation and how that affects restrictions, rather than listing a legally binding new list of measures.
Although restrictions have been eased in most areas, the overall hydrological situation is still being monitored, and authorities may adjust measures again if conditions change later in the season. But for now, the mid-January evaluation by the prefect reflects a substantive improvement compared with late 2025.
🧑🌾 Likely Eased / Lifted Restrictions
(consistent with how drought measures normally work in France and the new context)
Based on the improving situation and typical drought regulation practices (which use a tiered system from vigilance → alerte → alerte renforcée → crise), and given that most restrictions have been lifted in the latest news reports:
1. Individual and Domestic Uses
- Watering of gardens and green spaces — likely no longer restricted in many places, as overall water availability has improved.
- Filling or topping up of private swimming pools — likely now permitted where previously banned under higher drought alert levels.
- Washing cars or terraces — likely no longer prohibited in areas where restrictions have been eased.
2. Agricultural Uses
- Irrigation limits for farmers — easing can mean less stringent caps (far lower reductions than before) or full re-opening of irrigation in certain basins, depending on local recharge and committee decisions.
3. Public and Commercial Uses
- Use of water for commercial purposes (e.g., golf course irrigation, sports pitches) — historically among the first restrictions to be eased as water availability recovers.
📍How to Check the Exact Current Restrictions in Your Area
For the most precise and legally binding status of restrictions (including which uses are still limited or banned in your municipality), you can:
- Visit the VigiEau platform and search by address — this shows up-to-date, basin-specific restriction levels.
- Check the Préfecture des Pyrénées-Orientales official website under the Eau / Sécheresse section for the latest arrêtés préfectoraux detailing current measures.