Global protection of water resources and protection areas of drinking water catchment areas

Since the natural protection of underground water against physical, chemical and microbiological pollution varies considerably depending on the geological and hydrogeological context, extra protective measures have been put in place by regulations. In France, the provisions relating to the protection of resources have been reinforced regulations by specific regulations aiming to reduce the risks of pollution around drinking water catchment areas. These regulations provide for the setting-up of protection areas around the catchment areas; a proposed ranking of the protection areas is given according to the risks, and a possible approach to their definition is set out.