Starting this summer, Monaco residents will receive a new kind of forecast alongside their regular weather update: the “météo de l’eau” or “water weather”…

Initiated by the Société Monégasque des Eaux (SME), this new barometer is designed to raise public awareness about the Principality’s water resources—where they come from, how they are managed, and just how vulnerable they are.

Although Monaco has six local water sources, these only provide around a third of the territory’s needs, and sometimes even less during the hot, dry summer months. Most of the remaining supply must be imported from France, particularly via the Vésubie canal and the Plaine du Var.

To better inform citizens about this delicate balance, the SME will now publish a weekly indicator using a four-colour scale: green when local water covers more than 50% of needs, yellow between 50%–25%, orange from 25%–15%, and red when local supply drops below 15%.

Currently, Monaco sits at the yellow level, highlighting its reliance on imported water during the summer. The new system not only tracks this dependence but also encourages more mindful water consumption. Since 2000, the Principality has reduced its annual water usage from six million to 4.4 million cubic metres, despite a tripling of economic activity—thanks to collective action across public services, private institutions, and individual households.

As climate change intensifies and rainfall patterns become more erratic, this initiative reminds residents that the simple act of turning on the tap is the result of a complex and increasingly fragile system.

Photo by Manu Schwendener