Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Starting June 30, 2025, water pumping is temporarily banned in 20 Flemish Brabant towns due to low levels. Governor Jan Spooren urges conservation. Exceptions exist for livestock and navigable waterways.
As VRT News reported, starting on Monday, June 30th, 2025, there will be a temporary rule against taking water from certain rivers and canals in parts of Flemish Brabant, Belgium. People won’t be allowed to pump water from non-navigable waterways and public canals in 20 different towns in the province. They mentioned that the reason for this is that the water levels are going down fast, which could cause problems for the plants and animals living in the water.
The government, led by Jan Spooren, says they have to do this to stop the water from getting worse and to keep the environment healthy. He mentioned that the Demer basin still has enough water for now, but even there, they’ve put some limits on taking water from the Zwarte Beek in Diest because of local concerns.
How will the water ban in Flemish Brabant impact farmers and supplies?
According to officials, farmers will be affected by this new rule. They use river water to water their crops. The weather will be hot and dry. This means they might not have enough water. But the government says they have to protect nature. They will make sure everyone follows the rules. This is part of a plan to save water. Climate change is making things dry for a long time.
According to officials, even with the water ban, there are some important exceptions. Farmers can still use water for their animals to drink. This ensures the animals are taken care of during the dry spell. People can also still take water from big rivers.
Some companies are helping farmers. They are giving them water to use. They mentioned that this is helping them water their crops. These exceptions help to save water. They also help farmers and other businesses during this hard time.
Water companies say there’s enough drinking water for now. However, people are using more water than usual because it’s dry. The governor is asking everyone to be careful with water use. He wants us to avoid wasting water.
The government is keeping a close eye on things. They’re not sure how long the water ban will stay in place. They mentioned that they’ll change the rules when the weather improves and water levels rise. Until then, everyone needs to help conserve water. This includes both people and farmers.
