Evergem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Evergem Municipality has asked North Sea Port to let farmers use water from the port when dry weather persists for an extended period. The proposal is consistent with the approved new rainwater and drought plan. The proposal will be examined by North Sea Port, and a dialogue with the municipality will follow.
The municipality of Evergem, located in the Belgian province of East Flanders, requests North Sea Port allow farmers to access their water during times of prolonged drought. This proposal is consistent with the rainwater and drought plan that was only recently approved. North Sea Port will review the plan and consult the local municipality, as reported by VRT.
Recently, the Evergem municipal council accepted a new plan for rainwater and drought. It is also part of the plan to store water when there is plenty, so it can be used in times of dry weather. For this reason, Evergem is planning to build water collection basins at key places.
“Farmers can then take water there when there is a ban on the waterways,”
says Alderman for Water Policy, Lucas Van der Meersch (CD&V).
“We will have to consult with the VMM and the province of East Flanders for this.”
“It is important that such a catchment basin is fed by large watercourses in the area. Of course, we will take into account fertile agricultural land and ecologically valuable areas.”
The plan relies on a partnership with North Sea Port as well.
“There is water left in the port due to paving, which is stored in water basins. That is why we have asked the port to open certain water basins to farmers.”
What has been Belgium’s historical experience with water scarcity and drought?
For the past four years, Belgium has regularly seen meteorological droughts, as there has been a lack of rainfall compared to the average. Low rainfalls during these droughts have created shortages in the soil, water levels in rivers decrease, and the groundwater becomes low, bringing on shortages in water for agriculture, industry, and energy production. It has been the worst in Flanders, where farmers find it hard to water their crops due to dry weather, so they have to get water from places further afield, which creates disagreements among communities.
