Belgium/Drought: eighteen Walloon municipalities have issued police orders to restrict water consumption
From now on, 18 municipalities have issued police orders to restrict water consumption, according to a meeting of the Walloon Region's Drought Expertise Unit on Friday. Navigation on Lake Nisramont and the Two Ourthes will also be prohibited from Monday, August 15, notes the SPW.
Since the last meeting on August 4, the number of municipalities having issued a police order has increased from 13 to 18. They are now the municipalities of Chimay, Amel, Vresse-sur-Semois, Bouillon, Libin, Libramont-Chevigny, Léglise, Habay, Saint-Hubert, Tellin, Rochefort, Tennevile, Gouvy, Stoumont, Theux, Durbuy, Bertogne and Pepinster. The SPW also points out that La Roche-en-Ardenne now also benefits from increased surveillance by the SWDE, as do Jalhay, Vielsalm, Beauraing and Houffalize.
Although in the other municipalities the production and distribution of water is proceeding normally, the SPW reminds that "given the current situation and trends for the next few days, and to avoid any difficulties in production or distribution in some areas, it is recommended that caution in the use of water is required. "The SPW therefore advises to avoid, in particular, washing cars, watering lawns and plantations, or non-essential cleaning of floors.
What about waterways?
As far as the waterways are concerned, the measures for grouping together boats at the locks have been extended to the Upper Scheldt and remain in place for the entire network, except for the Scheldt, the Dender and the Hainaut canals. The draught (the immersed part of a boat) has also been reduced by 1.4 metres on the Upper Sambre and by 0.1 metres on the Lys.
The interruption of manoeuvres during the night (from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) at the Lanaye lock is now extended to the Amherst locks.The interruption of the night maneuvers (10 pm to 6 am) at the lock of Lanaye is now extended to the locks of Ampsin and Ivoz-Ramet, and is now applicable for an indefinite period.
Source: rtbf.be
