The Bois de Callois reservoir serves as a storage facility for drinking water produced at the Tailfer plant situated in the commune of Profondeville, located along the Meuse River in the province of Namur. According to Chris Cullus, the water is collected from the river, treated at the plant to make it drinkable, and then transported to the Bois de Villers reservoir using pumps. From there, the water flows by gravity to Mazy before continuing its journey to the Callois reservoir, where it is stored at an elevation of 162.5 meters, the highest point in Walloon Brabant. This arrangement enables Vivaqua, the intermunicipal company responsible for the water supply, to route the water to various municipalities, including Jette, Ganshoren, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Koekelberg, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Anderlecht, and parts of Forest and Uccle. The company also supplies the municipalities of Braine-l’Alleud and Waterloo.
The brainois reservoir uses a unique water circulation system to prevent bacterial growth and stagnation of the water. The four compartments in the reservoir are used alternately to mix and oxygenate the water and create a pressure difference as per the requirement. The quality of the water is continuously monitored using measuring devices and a laboratory to ensure its purity. Visitors to the reservoir are often surprised by the complexity of the water supply system and the cleanliness of the water. Some visitors pledge to drink more tap water following witnessing the quality of the drinking water production process.
The Bois de Callois reservoir mainly stores the drinking water produced at the Tailfer plant, located along the Meuse, in the commune of Profondeville (province of Namur). “The water is collected from the Meuse, then treated in the plant“, explained Chris Cullus.”Once made drinkable, it is sent, thanks to pumps, to our Bois de Villers reservoir. From there, and this time without pumps, by gravity, it arrives in our turn at Mazy (note: tour balance and winnowing knot), before continuing its journey to the Callois reservoir, where it is stored, at an altitude of 162.5 m. It is the highest point in Walloon Brabant“. This geographical choice allows water to be routed to the municipalities of Jette, Ganshoren, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Koekelberg, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Anderlecht, as well as part of Forest and Uccle. he intermunicipal company in BW supplies the municipalities of Braine-l’Alleud and Waterloo.
In the brainois reservoir, an ingenious water circulation system prevents the stagnation of blue gold and the risk of bacterial proliferation. In addition, the four compartments are used alternately to ensure mixing and oxygenation of the waters. This also makes it possible to obtain a pressure difference, depending on the needs. Measuring devices continuously analyze the quality of the water, Vivaqua also has a laboratory ensuring the quality of the precious liquid. “I did not imagine all this circuit so that I might drink my water from the tap“, comments a visitor. “And when I see this cleanliness here, it reassures me. I will drink more tap water from now on“.
In conclusion, the Bois de Callois reservoir plays a crucial role in supplying clean drinking water to several municipalities in Belgium. From the Meuse river to the Tailfer plant, then to the Bois de Villers and Mazy reservoirs, and finally to the Callois reservoir, the intricate water circulation system ensures the quality of the water at every step of its journey. With continuous analysis and monitoring, visitors can rest assured that the tap water they drink is clean and safe for consumption. It is a remarkable feat of engineering and an essential service that we should all appreciate and respect.
