The project to bring water from the Rhône River to the Pyrénées-Orientales region has reached a new stage. Following an initial analysis phase, the French government and the Occitanie region are now undertaking a feasibility study to extend the Aqua Domitia network beyond Narbonne, in a context of persistent water scarcity. The presentation of the initial findings, held in Narbonne, highlights a water shortage deemed structural in the eastern part of the region.
According to the authorities' findings, extending the system would not be a single solution, but rather an additional tool for addressing recurring droughts. Further investigations will be needed to determine the project's cost, financing arrangements, and pricing. Public officials, however, emphasize the continued need for water conservation efforts.
A region weakened by repeated droughts
Between 2022 and 2025, the Pyrénées-Orientales experienced an unprecedented drought, putting a strain on agriculture, drinking water supplies, and tourism. In a department heavily reliant on irrigation and frequented by hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer, securing water resources has become a strategic imperative.
The regional water network currently draws 150 million cubic meters of water annually from the Rhône River, a portion of which is used for Aqua Domitia. According to its operator, these volumes remain marginal compared to the river's flow, even during the summer months. Nevertheless, the project is already generating debate between the imperative of climate adaptation, the cost of infrastructure, and environmental requirements.
