Volvic on the Front Line of France’s New Water Concerns
Volvic, known for its renowned mineral water, is facing criticism as local streams dry up, prompting residents to blame the bottling plant. In Volvic, the birthplace of one of the world’s most famous mineral waters, public fountains have been shut off. The surrounding streams, once powerful enough to operate flour mills, are gradually drying up, and villages have implemented hosepipe bans. Sylvie de Larouziere, head of the water conservation group PREVA, accuses the Volvic plant of exacerbating the problem, stating that it constantly expands its operations at the expense of local water sources.
A local aristocratic trout farmer is currently suing Volvic’s parent company, French multinational Danone, after a stream that supplied water to his 17th-century fish ponds mysteriously dried up. The Puy de Dome region in central France, often referred to as the “water tower” of the country, historically benefited from abundant rainfall, resulting in wet soil that allowed farmers downstream to cultivate their fields. However, these favorable conditions are becoming a thing of the past.
In early May, with water supplies at abnormally low levels, authorities imposed a hosepipe ban and prohibited swimming pool fillings in 31 nearby districts, affecting approximately 60,000 people. Volvic’s public fountains were also turned off, raising concerns among villagers about potential water shortages during the upcoming summer season. Maria-Louisa Borges, a retired cleaner who has lived in Volvic for five decades, expressed shock over the situation, especially considering that the region is just emerging from winter.
French officials maintain that there is no evidence linking Volvic’s operations to the depletion of nearby streams. However, the water restrictions imposed in an area renowned for its abundant water highlight the growing strain on water resources in France and the increasing demands for this scarce commodity. Environment Minister Christophe Bechu recently voiced serious concerns, noting that two-thirds of the country’s water tables are currently below normal levels.
These challenges also raise questions about the future of France’s substantial mineral water industry, often criticized by environmentalists for its significant production of plastic bottles. Notably, France leads the world in both bottled water exports and well-known brands such as Volvic, Evian, Vittel, and Perrier.
Experts have long warned about the risks that climate change, population growth, and excessive consumption pose to global freshwater supplies. In France, these issues have been steadily worsening. During the winter, the country experienced a record 32-day period without rainfall from January 21 to February 21. Even villages near the snow-capped Pyrenees mountains had to rely on water deliveries by trucks.
The dry winter followed a scorching summer that brought months of drought and high temperatures, which affected even the typically lush Alps and caused the powerful Rhine River to become unnavigable. President Emmanuel Macron deemed it “the end of abundance.” Delphine Batho, a former French environment minister and Green MP, explained that climate change has exacerbated an already precarious situation, characterized by extended droughts and heatwaves, including winter droughts that now have severe consequences for drinking water supplies.
As society faces clashes over water resources, a local conflict brews in Volvic. Similar tensions are unfolding in the Vosges region, where Nestle-owned Vittel is accused of excessive exploitation of groundwater. Water disputes between companies and local communities are also arising in places like Mexico, California, and Fiji. Criticism often revolves around the ethical dilemma of exporting scarce water resources while local populations suffer from water scarcity.
Volvic’s water extraction has witnessed a staggering increase, rising from around 200,000 liters annually in 1950 to 1.7 billion liters in 2020. Although the company claims to only use 22 percent of the local water, with the public water system consuming 50 percent, many residents remain skeptical. The company is currently exempt from the latest water restrictions, but it has pledged a five-percent reduction in its extraction limit of 2.8 billion liters. However, campaigners argue that this commitment holds minimal significance as the company presently withdraws less than the current limit.
According to Volvic, their brand’s water undergoes a natural filtration process that takes five years as it passes through a granite-lined volcanic basin. Nevertheless, their operations face scrutiny due to their substantial water consumption and potential impact on local water resources. The local government prefect’s office, responsible for setting Volvic’s annual quota, denies any connection between the company and the water restrictions.
Amidst these debates, fish farmer Edouard de Feligonde, who blames Danone for the water shortages, has spent four years seeking €32 million ($35 million) from the French state and taking Volvic to court in order to recover his losses resulting from the dried-up water source. De Feligonde remains confident that an expert report commissioned by the court will validate his findings, which implicate Danone as the main culprit. However, many people are hesitant to voice their grievances since Danone is the largest employer in the region, supporting approximately 1,000 jobs.
The situation in Volvic reflects the growing concerns over water resources in France. As climate change intensifies and water scarcity becomes increasingly prevalent, conflicts and legal battles surrounding water consumption and access are likely to escalate, challenging both the mineral water industry and policymakers.
© 2023 AFP
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Shambhu Kumar is a science communicator, making complex scientific topics accessible to all. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
