Limburg (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Despite a record number of new lifeguards trained, Limburg swimming pools and lakes continue to face staffing shortages ahead of the busy summer season.
With summer quickly approaching, outdoor pools and swimming lakes are gradually reopening. However, even with a record number of retrained and graduating lifeguards, several communities still struggle to supply enough lifeguards.
For instance, this applies to De Plas at Kelchterhoef in Houthalen-Helchteren. By the way, Flanders is celebrating Lifeguard Day today.
According to the Stiemerlab’s intermediate measurements, 2024 is a good year for the Stiemer since the water level is higher and the quality is better than it has been in the past. Aquafin’s overflow optimization is partially to blame for this.
The city of Genk has been looking into the water quality of the Stiemer since January 2023, working with VITO, VMM, Stichting Kitsunya, and Genk volunteers.
Sensors in the stream are used to continuously detect the temperature, conductivity, oxygen content, and depth of the water. From Thor Park to the Diepenbekerbos, they measure at a minimum of fifteen different points. In order to maintain optimal measurement, Genk inhabitants will clean the sensors every two weeks.
Additionally, at four fixed measuring locations—three in Genk (Heppenzeel, Plattewijer, and Diepenbekerbos) and one in Diepenbeek—VMM conducts monthly physico-chemical sampling and biennial biological water quality tests.
According to the Stiemerlab’s intermediate measurements, 2024 was a successful year for the Stiemer. The water’s quality and quantity both score higher than they did in prior years. Since the measurements began, 2024 has been the wettest year.
“The results show good physico-chemical water quality at the Stiemer,”
Explains Alderman for Sustainability, Karel Kriekemans.
“The best results are measured at the most upward measuring location. Compared to 2023, a clear improvement is visible there.”
Concentrations of nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus increase at the downstream measuring locations.
In addition to the high precipitation, Aquafin’s overflow optimization also contributes to better water quality.
“By making targeted adjustments to the sewerage system, we have significantly reduced the impact of overflows on the Stiemer,”
Says Ilka Van Geel, account manager at Aquafin.
“At 25 locations spread across the entire Stiemer valley, we renovated old structures and took measures so that wastewater no longer ends up directly in the stream during heavy rainfall. Thanks to these interventions, the water quality now remains stable.
The measurements clearly show fewer pollution peaks and smaller differences between the measuring points. In this way, we protect the Stiemer against pollution and make a difference for nature in the valley.”
Flemish Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Jo Brouns:
“A healthy watercourse is essential for people, nature and the climate. The positive results on the Stiemer show that intensive cooperation between the city, citizens and government really pays off. Thanks to the overflow optimization by Aquafin, we are now seeing tangible progress: less overflow pressure means better water quality.
This approach is a good example of how we can work together on healthier watercourses – and we are continuing this line throughout Flanders.”
Disconnection and de-hardening, on both public and private lands, will continue to be crucial in the future. This is supported by a de-hardening grant from the city of Genk, Belgium. As a result, the water system experiences less overflow pressure.
Three lifeguards are on duty at De Plas in Houthalen-Helchteren right now. There is no guarantee that there will be enough lifeguards to cover the entire summer if no more are added.
There is still a scarcity in certain areas of Limburg even though the number of lifeguards who have graduated is at an all-time high. There are now three lifeguards on duty at De Plas in Houthalen-Helchteren.
There are currently enough lifeguards in other locations, like the swimming pools in Tongeren and the Paalse Plas in Beringen. For instance, some applicants in Beringen even had to be turned down.
“In Tongeren there are already enough lifeguards for the entire summer,”
Says alderman for Sports, Jo Dardenne (Vooruit).
“We are not currently suffering from a shortage of lifeguards. A meeting yesterday also showed that there will be no problem with the number of lifeguards this summer either.”
Lode Nulmans, CEO of the Wilhelm Tell recreation area in Opglabbeek, also sees things going well this summer. He can count on lifeguards who return every year. The search for future replacements is a different story.
“It gets harder every year to find new lifeguards, but so far we have managed every year.”
According to Sport Vlaanderen, 2024 was a record year with 1,324 newly trained and more than 5,000 retrained lifeguards.
“Nevertheless, the shortage of lifeguards in Flanders remains large,”
Says Hans Vangrunderbeek.
“We see a slightly positive trend because gaps are being filled by newly trained lifeguards. On the other hand, it is of course not the case that every one of those graduates is prepared to actually take on a job or function as a lifeguard.”
How are demographic shifts impacting staffing in Limburg swimming facilities?
An aging population and a decrease in the proportion of younger residents are characteristics of the demographic trend that Limburg is undergoing, which is typical of many Dutch regions. As a result, there are fewer young people joining the workforce, which directly lowers the number of potential lifeguards and seasonal employees that are available for lakes and swimming pools.
The local labor supply is further reduced as a result of the large number of young people leaving Limburg for jobs or school options abroad. The lack of young, physically fit workers who are generally qualified for lifeguard positions is made worse by this movement.
Employers in Limburg find it more difficult to recruit and retain employees as a result of the combined effects of aging and population reduction. Competition from other industries and geographical areas for the few available workers exacerbates this.
