Brussels will remain under a yellow drought alert this week, even though rain is in the forecast, after regional authorities decided the expected rainfall would not be enough to bring water conditions back to normal.
The Brussels Region's drought task force made the call on Monday, according to the Belgian daily Le Soir, which cited Brussels Environment. The task force brings together water operators, prevention and security officials and crisis management staff, along with organisations such as Vivaqua and the Port of Brussels. Before deciding to keep the alert in place, members reviewed several indicators, including rainfall totals and how much drinking water was being produced and distributed.
Under the yellow alert, sometimes called the vigilance phase, authorities are asking residents, businesses and organisations to use tap water responsibly and to hold off on anything that is not essential. That includes washing cars, filling swimming pools, unnecessary floor cleaning and watering lawns.
Officials said the timing matters as much as the weather. With people returning from summer holidays and the school year about to start, water use across the region is expected to climb again just as supplies remain under pressure. Brussels Environment described conserving water as a shared responsibility that falls on public administrations, citizens, businesses and sports clubs alike.
The drought task force is due to meet again next Monday to reassess conditions and decide whether the alert should stay at its current level, ease, or be raised further.