Par Margot Delpech
Published on Jun 30 22 at 5:23 PM
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In Illats, near Langon in Gironde, Patricia and Jean-Pierre have just come through the heat wave without running water in their house. Since Friday May 20, 2022, they have been living a real hassle. They are today forced to take their shower in a baste, installed in their garden…
The storm episode would have impacted the drilling
Thirty years ago, Patricia made the choice to build a self-sufficient house with water and electricity. Today, this building, which is not connected to the collective network, finds itself without water after the episode of storms which affected the South of Gironde last May.
Lightning did not strike his drilling system. But the heavy rains have, according to the person concerned, had serious consequences on the “source”, 14 meters deep, used thanks to the installation of a pump. Through it, groundwater can be drawn from the ground to be conveyed to the house, allowing to maintain a sufficient flow of water, as well as a good pressure. Today, everything is failing.
Result: not a single drop flowing from the tap. Impossible to take a shower, to freshen up. While, on the thermometer, the mercury easily exceeded 40°C during the heat wave of the last few days, it was a real hassle that Patricia and her companion, Jean-Pierre, experienced.
Two experts on site
The couple is well-honed… They know how to deal with the unexpected. Except that this time, the situation turns out to be much more complex and many obstacles stand in his way. “In 2014, recalls Patricia, during the major floods, we experienced the same problem with our submersible pump and the insurance took the repairs into account. But this time… “
Eight years later, it’s a different story. The situation is radically different:
An expert came by. Then a second, fifteen days after the incident. They told us that this problem was going to cost more than expected. Finally, we got a negative answer on June 17th. We asked the MAIF for explanations, but the expert decided not to retain the climatic accident, and therefore, we do not come under their conditions, unlike 2014.
A hard blow for the Illad couple who have since run out of water. Desperate, the citizens have peeled their contract, their statements to see if an evolution of their coverage could have changed. They draw a blank.
We went to the head office of the insurance, in Gradignan, we were very well received. But the drilling and re-watering of the house will not be taken into account. Today, we have more than 3,500 euros in repairs, attest Patricia and Jean-Pierre. To wash ourselves every day, we had to use the water from our swimming pool.
An emergency solution, which has now lasted for more than a month. Untenable for the two Illadais, who still struggle to believe it and who improvise alternatives.
A tank of one ton of water received
The latest? Thanks to the neighbour, they have arranged a tank of one ton of water in a truck. With this temporary solution, they can wash themselves and have a water point available outside. The toilet is done in a baste and on a pallet, right in the middle of the garden. Basic comfort.
MAIF responds
Contacted by Le Républicain Sud-Gironde, MAIF insurance did not deny the facts. Indeed, the climatic accident was not noted by the experts for the collapse of part of the borehole. A gesture of 156 euros was made “graciously and without obligation for our customers”, she attests, in addition to a proposal for temporary relocation. For the insurance, the situation of Patricia and Jean-Pierre would be solely due to a natural drying up of the water table. A version that the interested parties dispute.
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Important detail to note: this ton of water, worth €156, was paid for by the insurance company. “We do not understand his gesture, relates the couple. They [les assureurs, ndlr] support that but nothing else. We pay for insurance and we want it to work when we have an incident like this. »
How long will this tank last? The couple has no idea. ” We use an average of 30 liters of water per person per day. But it can vary…”
From now on, the couple tends to “tighten the tap”. No question of splurging. He did, for example, the choice not to water your garden anymore and that regardless of the weather. Once the 1,000 liter tank is empty, however, Patricia and Jean-Pierre will find themselves without water.
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