Résumé
France has long experience on Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR). Many water supply facilities rely on this strategy, which was first deployed in the 1960s and is still in use today. A national inventory provided by BRGM identifies more than 78 installations, with 73% of them dedicated to the production of drinking water. Recharged volumes increased from 20-30Mm3/year in the 1960s to 36-46Mm3/year in the 1980s, to reach 115-125Mm3/year in the 1990s. Most of referenced MAR facilities are still functioning (66%). The long- term experiences acquired from this previous MAR cases conduct to few smaller sites deployment once a while on a case-by-case basis. Over the last 15 years, the impacts of climate change have already been felt in France, with a rising of drought events (frequency and intensity). Since 2010, a rising number of water resources have shown alarming ‘reinforced alert’ and ‘crisis’ status, notably in 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024. More than 90% of departments deciding to restrict water use by decree during a part of these years. Consecutive years of drought and restricted access to water resources act as lighthouse to highlight issue concerning water management. Many alternatives have being studied, including MAR strategy from catchment areas to catchment basins. Over the last 5 years, more than 10 MAR feasibility studies have been carried out throughout France for drinking water, industrial and agricultural uses, using i) data analysis and spatial multi-criteria analysis, ii) hydrogeological models and simulations of MAR scenarios and iii) experimental MAR pilots.More than 10 MAR studies are currently under consideration. More than ever, coordination, knowledge sharing, previous experiences feedback, stakeholders’ inclusion and training is needed to ensure that MAR can be a key strategy in France as an alternative solution to climate change adaptation!