Captation prohibition in West Flanders is further expanded by worst drought in almost half a century: « Please be sparingly » (inland)
The provincial drought consultation, with governor Carl Decaluwé, met on Monday morning. – © JVE
The prohibition on capture in West Flanders is being expanded. From now on it is forbidden to pump water from the Blankaart, the Hertsbergebeek and De Mandel. « This is the worst situation since 1976, » says Governor Carl Decaluwé. « We have to hope for rain, otherwise the polders will also come into view. »
The drought continues to cause problems in West Flanders. The provincial drought meeting met again this morning. « The last ten days, apart from a few drops, there was no precipitation and the drought state further increased to an ‘exceptionally dry’ situation, » said Governor Carl Decaluwé. « Even more: it is the worst situation in almost fifty years, or since 15 May 1976. That is why I want to call again to be extra sparing. »
Lower water level daily
With immediate entrance, it is therefore no longer permitted to pump water from the Blankaart, the Hertsbergebeek and the Mandel. « Some precipitation is expected at the earliest. Extra drying measures must prevent the drying of these watercourses, » said Decaluwé. Due to the reduced water quality of the IJzer, replenishing the white map area has stopped since Monday last week. The water level fell almost daily by about 1 centimeter and reached the level of 2.66 meters TAW on Monday morning.
A graph shows that this has been the worst drought since 1976. – © JVE
Since May 9, there has been a prohibition of withdrawal in the electricity areas of the Rivierbeek, the Heulebeek, the (upper reaches of the) Handzamevaart and the Poekebeek. But due to the absence of precipitation, the levels of minimal thresholds remain. « We have to hope for rain, or also the watercourses in the polders and all non -navigable watercourses come into sight for a prohibition of capture. And we really want to avoid that, » Decaluwé continues. « It will really have to rain. »
Supply through channels remains insured
In the basin of the Mandel and the basin of the Hertsbergebeek, the water levels are also critically low. There are currently no problems for the other watercourses. The supply through the channels and navigable waterways also remains insured. The water quality remains a point of attention.
No more water is taken from the IJzer because the water quality there is too bad to produce drinking water. « From France we notice a falling trend in freshwater supply. Contacts have been made with the French prefecture to introduce solidarity user restrictions, » Decaluwé also says.
