Even after Wednesday, farmers and sports clubs are not allowed to pump water out of the ditch in the Beerze, Reusel and Park Meerland. All other withdrawal bans in the Dommel area also continue to apply. De Dommel Water Board has decided this because it is still very dry. “Little rain has fallen since March. In many places, streams fell dry this summer and the water levels fell sharply.”
According to the water board, we started this year with very high groundwater levels, but there is not much left now. Because the sun has shown a lot, the water levels have fallen even faster lately. In the Reusel, Beerze and Beekloop streams, the water board even pumped a small layer of groundwater to save protected species.
Dealing more economically with water
The water board is busy getting the area back in order. “To ensure that the ban on pumping up water is less often and less needed in the future, we are working on a strong water system. Everyone has to deal with water differently. Holding water where it is to supplement the groundwater supply, and at the same time make room for water to reduce the chance of flooding. In addition, it is also important that everyone is more efficient,” says Water.
The forbidden will only be lifted when the water levels are back on level. When that is, it can differ per area and depends on the rain that falls. Only in the areas Olen and Sonse Heide (Sonniuswijk) does a permanent prohibition of withdraw. Surface water should never be pumped up there.