Map of water table levels in France on 1 September 2018.
© BRGM
Water table levels on 1 September 2018 were uneven across different regions.
A significant proportion (41%) of groundwater tables were at moderately high to very high levels, while a little more than a third (37%) were at moderately low to very low levels. The remaining fifth (22%) were at average levels. This situation, which is quite positive for this time of year, is linked to the significant effect of the rains that continued late into the spring. Except in certain areas, the water tables are generally above the levels usually observed at the end of summer.
Trends in water table levels
The general trend in water table levels reflects the end of the low-water period, with only 11% of the points monitored remaining stable while levels in 6% of the points were already rising, which is quite normal at the end of the summer. The number of points where levels were tending to drop decreased slightly to 83% on 1 September (compared to 89% on 1 August). This reflects a trend that indicates the start of the autumn recharge is setting in.
The general status of the water tables on 1 September 2018 reflects the transition between the low water period and the start of the autumn recharge. The situation is quite typical for this time of year.
