Residents living in the borough of Hodeige, near Liège, have complained that they have been sick for almost a week due to water contamination.
As previously reported by The Brussels Times, Walloon Water Company (SWDE) declared on 26 October that local water had been contaminated with E. coli bacteria from human faeces, which possibly entered the village’s water system from a local treatment plant in the town of Oreye due to two faulty anti-backflow valves, rendering the water non-drinkable.
A second source of contaminated drinking water was also discovered in the village on Sunday, caused by a “non-compliant installation” which was leaking dirty water into the distribution network.
“People have aggravated and persistent symptoms, they have been sick for five to six days,” Thierry Missaire, the local mayor of Remicourt (the municipality where the borough is situated), told Belga News Agency. He added that he was concerned about the health of several residents who were affected by the pollution of the water supply.
While the contamination of the drinking water was detected early on, this has not stopped local residents from becoming ill after being exposed to contaminated water.
Solutions to the problem
On Monday, Remicourt's municipal authorities met with representatives of the Regional Agency for Quality of Life (AViQ) and the SWDE to consider the follow-up to the crisis situation. The AViQ is expected to report on the contacts it has made with doctors in the area soon.
An information meeting was organised on Tuesday morning to explain to residents how to clean and disinfect domestic equipment, as well as to discuss the modalities for compensation and reimbursement of costs incurred by residents due to the pollution.
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The SWDE has extended its non-drinkability warning repeatedly. As of 1 November, the village’s drinking water is still unsafe to drink, according to the Remicourt municipality website.
In the meantime, the local authorities set up supply points, where bottled water is handed out, at the old school site in Hodeige, which will be open every day until Wednesday between 7:00 and 20:00.
