Drought committee: “If there is not much rain in the coming weeks, stricter measures will be taken in September”

In preparation, consultations are already being started with the sectors (agriculture, industry, construction…) about where they can save water. This is what VMM spokesperson Bernard De Potter said on Thursday after a new consultation of the Flemish drought committee.

The committee consists of water managers, drinking water companies, Aquafin and governors. It meets weekly during long periods of drought and formulates recommendations.

The situation is said to be critical on Thursday. “All indicators, hydrological and meteorological, point to this. The precipitation of the past few days and the precipitation still forecast will not lead to a significant recovery of our waterways. A further decrease in levels and discharges in the unnavigable waterways and waterways is not out of the question. to close,” said the drought committee. There is no problem for the drinking water supply, not even in the medium term, although vigilance is being tightened.

The Drought Commission continues to reiterate its advice, to sectors, governments and citizens, to “maximally reduce” their water consumption. For the time being, it will remain with this advice, but if not much rain falls or is forecast in the next few weeks, a tightening cannot be ruled out, De Potter admits.

“Early September will be a critical point,” he says. Then drastic measures are in sight, if the weather situation does not change. These measures can be, for example, a general capping ban for agriculture and industry and the ban on non-essential use of water, for example for washing cars or for fountains. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely,” it sounds.