Tap water restricted in two French settlements over uranium limit

France bans tap water for drinking and cooking in two settlements

Tap water may not be drunk or used to prepare food in Les Chavannes and La Chapelle, in France’s Savoie region, after uranium levels exceeded the limit set by new European drinking water standards. The issue affects a total of 1,760 people living in three settlements.

Scraper SystemAugust 22, 2026, 12:25 PM

France bans tap water for drinking and cooking in two settlements

Restrictions have been placed on water use in two settlements in France’s Savoie region after the concentration of chemical uranium in drinking water exceeded the limit set by new European standards. Tap water cannot be used for drinking, food preparation or cooking in Les Chavannes and La Chapelle.

The uranium-level issue affects a total of 1,760 people living in La Chambre, Les Chavannes and La Chapelle. In La Chambre, the water network affected by uranium was disconnected, resolving the problem there. La Chambre has two separate water networks.

Water restrictions do not cover household chores

The Savoie prefecture, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Health Agency and the mayors of Les Chavannes and La Chapelle decided that the restricted water must not be used for consumption or food preparation.

Tap water may continue to be used for other household tasks, such as bathing, showering, washing clothes and washing dishes.

Uranium limit set at 30 micrograms per litre

New European drinking water standards that took effect in 2026 set a limit of 30 micrograms per litre for chemical uranium. The regional health authority said the current situation was not caused by a sudden source of contamination or acute poisoning.

The authority said uranium occurs naturally in the region’s underground geology and that its levels were included in health monitoring under the new regulation. It said prolonged consumption of water with uranium concentrations above the limit could affect kidney function.

Bottled water being arranged in two settlements

Bottled water has been distributed three evenings a week in La Chapelle since the end of July. Mayor Isabelle Quillet said the distribution had cost the small municipality approximately 5,000 euros over three weeks.

In Les Chavannes, preparations are under way to distribute bottled water following the water analyses announced on Friday afternoon. Local authorities, the water network operator and government services are examining long-term solutions, including the installation of a water filtration and treatment facility.

Source: Anadolu Ajansı

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