Flanders issues code orange drought alert
The Drought commission raised the drought management level for Flanders to orange, the second-highest level, on Thursday. The situation may stabilise with the predicted rainfall in the coming days, but forecasts remain uncertain.
The level was raised due to the region's persistent drought and deteriorating hydrological situation. The predicted rainfall remains uncertain and will be insufficient to restore the very low water levels structurally.
Water companies are urging people to use drinking water sparingly, and a number of temporary measures have been introduced to limit further damage, including a ban on water extraction in almost all unnavigable waterways.
Restrictions have been imposed on various locks and on a number of waterways, as well as bans on abstraction due to salinisation or the presence of blue-green algae.
Conserving drinking water
Currently, there are no issues with the drinking water supply, but the water companies are maintaining heightened vigilance. Using drinking and rainwater sparingly remains the norm.
“We always recommend using tap water primarily for essential purposes such as drinking, preparing food, brushing your teeth and showering,” said Carl Heyrman, general manager of AquaFlanders.
Heyrman advised using rainwater for activities such as flushing the toilet, washing clothes, and cleaning cars. “We can see from the current consumption figures that this message is being well received, and we encourage everyone to continue along this path,” he said.
Critical levels
"The water level in Flemish rivers and canals is low due to the drought that actually started in March," said Professor Patrick Willems of KU Leuven. "August was also exceptionally dry."
Important watercourses in Flanders are now approaching critical levels. 'The water flow in the Albert Canal is currently between 40 and 50 cubic metres per second. When it reaches 35, it will have reached a critical threshold," said Willems.
"The flow rate in the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal is currently between 15 and 20 cubic metres per second. If it approaches 10, we can speak of a real water shortage," he said.
"The risks are real, but hopefully it won't come to that"
Whether these critical values will be reached depends on the amount of rainfall in the coming days and weeks. “Current forecasts indicate that there will be sufficient precipitation to stabilise the situation, but weather forecasts remain uncertain,” said Willems.
“If there is less rain than expected, we could still approach those threshold values. So the risks are real, but hopefully it won't come to that," he said.
#FlandersNewsService | The dry heath of the Kalmthoutse Heide in Belgium in May 2025 © PHOTO BELGIAN_FREELANCE
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