The Coordinating Group on Drought in Antwerp Province agreed at a meeting on Monday to maintain the restrictions on water use issued in mid-July, despite the recent rains. At the request of the agricultural sector, the period during which rainwater or underground water can be harvested has even been extended.
Water levels in the province’s waterways are low and the rains that fell over the past few days are not enough to counter the effects of the drought.
As a result, the ban on drawing water from non-navigable waterways in Antwerp Province has been retained, except for watering livestock in pastures.
Using the public water network to clean vehicles, to fill private swimming pools with a capacity of over 100 litres or to water gardens has also been banned. When rain or underground water is used, such activities are prohibited only from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (and no longer from 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.)
On Friday, 10 August, Eastern Flanders and Limburg also decided to maintain a number of drought-related measures.
The Brussels Times
