Professor Meire (UA): “Inflating ban remains necessary”

The persistent drought and the increasing water consumption in agriculture and industry are causing a significant drop in groundwater, by more than 30 centimeters in a few weeks. And that has consequences for fauna and flora. Also in the nature reserve The city walls of Damme. There they constantly measure the groundwater table. In three weeks, the level here dropped by more than 30 centimeters. Patrick Meire, Integrated water management at UA: “The rate of descent depends on precipitation and the use of water. Precipitation is much less than normal and, on the other hand, use is increasing for agriculture and industry, which has reduced the stock.”

Animals and plants are also experiencing difficulties due to the ongoing drought. The roots of the trees in this swamp are even exposed. Retaining more water in the soil and draining less is therefore the task. And that is a complete revolution in water management. “A cubic meter of soil can contain up to 400 liters of water. In one cubic meter and that can go deep. That stock of water is the largest and we must cherish it by keeping it as high as possible and allowing the water to infiltrate, making it less can quickly drain into the sewers and then also retain the water in the waterways.”

As long as the drought continues, the pumping ban seems necessary. “As long as there is hardly any precipitation, I fear that we are stuck with that. I understand that it is less fun for farmers, but it is a given.”