Evergem (Brussels morning newspaper) – The municipality of Evergem has asked the port of the North Sea to allow farmers to use the port water when the dry climate persists for a prolonged period. The proposal is consistent with the new rain and approved drought plan. The proposal will be examined by the port of the North Sea, and will follow a dialogue with the municipality.
The municipality of Evergem, located in the Belgian province of East Flandes, requests that the port of the North Sea allow farmers to access their prolonged drought water times. This proposal is consistent with the rainwater and drug plan that was recently approved. The Puerto del Mar del Norte 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 enough, so it can be used in dry weather times. For this reason, Evergem plans to build water collection basins in key places.
“Farmers can be there, they drink water there when there is a prohibition on river tracks.”
Alderman says 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 capture basin is fed by large water courses in the area. Of course, we will take into account fertile agricultural land and ecologically valuable areas.”
The plan is also based on an association with the port of the North Sea.
“Water remains in the port due to the pavement, 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 the shortage of water and drought?
During the last four years, Belgium has regularly seen weather droughts, since there has been a lack of rain compared to the average. The low duration of rains have created shortage in the soil, water levels in rivers decrease and groundwater becomes low, which causes water shortage for agriculture, industry and energy production. It has been the sausage in Flanders, where farmers find it difficult to water their crops due to dry climate, so they have to obtain water from the more places, which creates disagreements between the communities.
