Water management is a major challenge in Belgium. Healthy and sufficient drinking water: in Flanders, we still consider it a luxury. In such a way that we use drinking water for washing dishes, having a shower, washing the car and so on.
But - together with the cost of treating wastewater - you as a Fleming pay around 3.5 euros per cubic metre of tap water. For a year's drinking water consumption, that comes to 14.5 euros. Of which you only use 1 euro to actually drink. Punishment ...
Why is no one doing anything about this?
Each region - Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels - has its own water policy. But: Europe also has a bit of a say. It demands that - by the end of 2015 - the quality of ground and surface water meets the standards. That makes it urgent for the 3 regions to put their heads together. The goal? To form a Belgian water policy that meets the imposed rules. But that does not seem to be going smoothly in Belgium.
The point is: time is money. So if we don't meet the standard soon, we will soon face a fine. Moreover, groundwater extraction is becoming difficult in certain regions. There is plenty of surface water, but the clean-up costs for it are running high. And you as a consumer are paying part of the cake.
Future challenges and current solutions
With the expected rise in temperature, the cooling effect of water in power plants will be lower. Which will also reduce water availability over time.
Fortunately, our country was already taking some measures. For instance, three giant Archimedean screws were installed in the lock complex on the Albert Canal. When the water level is low, the water is pumped to a higher element of the canal. When the level is high, the pumps then function again as electricity generators.
And how can you contribute yourself?
You too can participate in water policy. Think: use water sparingly and wisely. This applies to households, industry and also the agriculture and horticulture sector. Don't throw water away. And take shorter showers, which will pay off in the long run.
At Nu Flow we are already fans of a sustainable water policy! Do you have tips on how to use water more economically? Feel free to share them!
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