InBW, the inter-municipal company which is responsible, among other things, for producing and distributing water in 13 municipalities of Walloon Brabant, will begin a widespread investigation into water resources in the region in an attempt to pre-empt any future shortages caused by climate change.
With too dry summers and increasingly less rainy winters, there are fears that resources may well dry up. InBW says it will now take these new realities into account when assessing the level of groundwater resources and integrate new strategies into its water management plans.
"We need to be able to anticipate the reaction of groundwater bodies so that we know if the wells that draw from them today will have the same productivity in the future,” Nathalie Deconinck, risk manager at InBW, told RTBF. "If this were not to be the case, we could consider drilling new wells or looking for new resources."
Including the farmers
Until recently, surveys and data analysis on groundwater reserves were partially carried out by specialised, external companies. As part of the new plans, InBW will pass the responsibility over to an in-house hydrogeologist who will carry out surveys to determine both the quantity and quality of water in the region.
To improve the quality of pumped water, awareness-raising operations will also be carried out, particularly with local farmers.
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"We want to liaise with [the farmers] so that they become aware that they work with products that have an impact on water but also tell them that there are a whole series of organisations in the water sector that can partner with them, guide them and give them advice. We try to make the link between the two." Nathalie Deconinck added.
The investigation of the groundwater situation in the Walloon Brabant will reach its conclusion by the end of the year. Depending on the results, the future strategy of the company, and perhaps some consumer habits, may have to change.
