The Walloon water company Société Wallonne Des Eaux (SWDE) has announced that 19 municipalities in the region are now required to limit their water consumption.
Due to recent droughts caused by the heatwave, Stoumont, Burg Reuland, Rochefort, Durbuy, Libin, Libramont, Chimay, Theux, Bouillon, Léglise, Habay, Pepinster, Vresse-sur-Semois, Tellin, Bertogne, Tenneville, Gouvy, Amel, and Saint-Hubert must now limit their water consumption.
This measure has been taken as, if aquifers continue to sink, the region's water reserves will continue to decline, resulting in lower and lower water levels at various dams.
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Additionally, boat transport through locks has been hampered, and small-scale hydroelectric power generation on the region's waterways has been halted.
Water consumption in 15 other municipalities, including Jalhay, Vielsalm, Houffalize, Bastogne, Fauvillers, Martelange, Neufchâteau, Vaux-sur-Sûre, Saint-Ode, Wellin, Bullange, Marche-en-Famenne, Rendeux, La Roche-en-Ardenne, and Beauraing, is now also being closely monitored.
The relevant authorities will reconvene on 25 August to discuss the best way to deal with the drought.
