The drought cell of the Walloon region met again this Friday afternoon. The planned restrictions on water use have been extended to four additional municipalities. The decision thus brings the number of localities under restrictions to 23. It is therefore forbidden to fill your swimming pool, wash your car, or even water your plantations. The objective is to save water to pass the drought period.
The list of the 23 municipalities where orders restricting the use of water have been taken:
- Stoumont,
- Burg Reuland,
- Rochefort,
- Durbuy,
- Libin,
- Libramont,
- Chimay,
- Theux,
- Bouillon,
- Leglise,
- Habay,
- pepinster,
- Vresse-sur-Semois,
- Tellin,
- Bertogne,
- Tenneville,
- Gouvy,
- thought,
- Hotton,
- Amblève,
- Bullange,
- Bütgenbach,
- St. Hubert.
Others are subject to special monitoring by the SWDE (Société wallonne des eaux), namely:
- Jalhay,
- Vielsalm,
- houffalize,
- Bastogne,
- Bertogne,
- Bullange,
- Fauvillers,
- martelange,
- Neufchateau,
- Vaux-sur-Sure,
- Saint-Ode,
- Well,
- Marche-en-Famenne,
- Render,
- La Roche-en-Ardenne,
- Beauraing.
This was indicated by the Walloon region’s drought expertise unit on Friday evening, after meeting.
Since the previous meeting on August 25, rainfall in Wallonia has been minimal. The situation therefore remains similar with regard to the drought index of the Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) compared to last week, that is to say an extremely dry regime.
For the next 7 days, the moderate showers which are announced (up to 10 liters by the beginning of next week) will have little influence on the drought situation, further specifies the cell in a press release.
Restriction measures in the face of drought remain broadly the same. The levels of the dams-reservoirs are still falling. Return limitations remain in effect. The point of attention remains the Nisramont dam (La Roche-en-Ardenne).
Regarding fishing, the prohibition measures which were in force until September 4 have been extended until September 18.
Swimming is prohibited in Falemprise due to cyanobacteria and in Pont-à-Lesse. The other official bathing areas are open. Swimming is not recommended outside these official areas.
The next meeting of the drought expertise unit will take place on Thursday September 8 at 1:30 p.m.