GROUNDWATER-MANAGEMENT IN FRANCE

Since 1935, France has experienced an evolution from legislation aimed at groundwater protection to regulations concerning water-management incentives for increased use, in selected parts of acquifers, without causing over-abstraction. During the 1960s, the protection of users became the main priority, and the water agencies have now become powerful bodies in the combat against water pollution and towards aquifer rehabilitation. The 1992 Water Act provided a balanced management of water resources (a) taking into account the water resource, surface-water and groundwater, and (b) establishing a Water Directorate within the Ministry of the Environment. Reference is made to major achievements in the field of groundwater management and protection in terms of quantity and quality.