The Alpes-Maritimes préfecture has extended water restrictions to 100 communes, up from 82 at the end of July, after finding water consumption had risen 18% compared to the same period last year despite weeks of restrictions already in place.
Préfet Jean-Marie Girier's decision, taken Thursday after the department's water resource committee met to review the deteriorating situation, adds communes across the western part of the department, including Villeneuve-Loubet, La Colle-sur-Loup, Roquefort-les-Pins, Courmes and Caussols, to the reinforced alert tier. The préfecture issued a pointed appeal for restraint from residents, businesses, local authorities and tourists alike, timed ahead of the August 15 long weekend, when the department expects around 650,000 visitors and typically sees its sharpest spike in consumption.
Enforcement has intensified alongside the new restrictions. The territorial and maritime authority, DDTM, and the French biodiversity office, OFB, have carried out 60 inspections so far, finding 68 percent of properties checked in breach of the rules, resulting in 41 prosecutions. Officials say checks will continue, with particular focus on co-ownership residences and hotels. Individuals face fines of up to 1,500 euros for violations, with businesses facing penalties as high as 7,500 euros.