The quality and availability of water in Martinique are being closely monitored by government authorities. For the past month, Martinique had been under a drought alert, but thanks to improved weather conditions and the efforts of residents, the drought alert has been lifted. Martinique has been downgraded one level and is now under a drought watch.
The situation is gradually improving
The past few months have been relatively eventful with regard to the water situation in Martinique: a drought watch was issued on March 6, 2026, before being elevated to a «drought alert» on May 7, 2026. In a new decree issued in early June, the Prefect of Martinique has lowered the alert level back to Level 1: drought watch.
This decision by the prefect stems from an improvement in the situation. «Significant rainfall has been recorded almost daily for the past ten days or so across the entire island, leading to a notable replenishment of waterways. Nearly all monitoring stations now show flow rates above the alert threshold, and all drinking water operators report that reservoirs are at full capacity and that water supply has returned to normal throughout the territory,» states the prefecture’s press release. However, this situation may not last, given that drier weather conditions are expected in the coming weeks and months.
Let's Practice Good Habits
Thanks to this easing of restrictions, it is once again easier to use water resources, but this should not make us forget the importance of conserving them. It is important to continue practicing good habits and using water sparingly.
Although the situation has improved, the Prefecture is asking residents to continue to:
- restrict non-essential uses (car washing, washing the exterior of buildings, filling private pools, etc.)
- limit the washing of streets and sidewalks to what is strictly necessary for sanitation; ;
- reduce household water consumption; ;
- water green spaces moderately; ;
- limit its direct water withdrawals from watercourses
What concrete steps can we take?
The prefecture has put forward several proposals to continue conserving water resources in the long term. For example, it is possible to install self-contained water-saving devices: «such as water-saving devices for faucets and showers (aerators, flow reducers, flow regulators, and other water-saving kits),» which «contribute to significant savings, up to 40 to 60 % of water.».
Finally, the prefecture emphasizes the importance of notifying water treatment and distribution providers in Martinique in the event of a detected or suspected leak in the public drinking water system. These include SAUR for the municipalities of Cap Nord, SME for the Espace Sud Community of Municipalities (CA Espace Sud), and Odyssi for the CACEM. The prefecture concludes: «Every action counts: together, let’s reduce our non-essential water use to ease the strain on ecosystems and ensure water is available where it is vital!».
