The drought index of the Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM) is still below normal and indicates a very dry situation, warns the Public Service of Wallonia (SPW) on Tuesday following a meeting of the Drought Expertise Unit. However, most of the analysis parameters are generally normal. Returns from dams-reservoirs have been reduced in order to preserve available resources, which has made it possible to maintain water volumes at theoretical reference capacities at this time of year.
Concerning the navigable and non-navigable waterways, the flows continue to decrease and reach low levels, particularly concerning the Dender and the Sambre. However, there are no browsing restrictions. The circulation of kayaks is also authorized, except on the Ourthe downstream from the Nisramont dam to the Maboge bridge and on the Viroin, where the levels are too low.
The levels of the majority of groundwater bodies are comparable to or lower than the average level encountered during the same period over the past five years.
The distribution of drinking water is proceeding normally except in the municipalities of Stoumont and Theux where restrictions have been imposed by order of the mayor. However, the SPW calls for the use of mains water “in a reasoned manner, to prevent any difficulty in production or distribution in certain areas.”
No measures have been taken in relation to possible fire risks.
The dry period will probably continue for the next 15 days.