5. Framework drought order

The economical, rigorous and transparent management of water resources has become a national priority, with priority given to the supply of drinking water and the protection of the natural environment. To be effective in times of crisis, this kind of management calls for the implementation, in advance, of a global system mobilizing all water consumers and users, as well as all control services. To cope with insufficient water resources during low-water periods, prefects are required to take exceptional measures to restrict or suspend water use, in application of articles L. 211-3 II-1 and R. 211-66 of the French Environment Code. These water-use restriction decrees are often referred to as "drought" decrees, and are based on a framework decree drawn up, more often than not, at departmental or interdepartmental level.

The purpose of the arrêté cadre départemental...