Other information and services: www.belgium.be

Drought

Soil cracked by drought
A drought is a prolonged period when there is much less rainfall than usual and therefore a lack of water. This is a phenomenon that can occur very locally.

BEFORE

  • Be economical with your water usage:
    • Take a shower rather than a bath.
    • Collect rainwater.
    • Water your garden very sparingly.
    • Use residual water for your plants
    • Repair leaks quickly

DURING

  • Depending on the severity of the drought, a minister, governor or mayor may impose drought measures. Inform yourself with the local authorities. Examples of such measures are:
    • Ban on washing your car
    • Ban on filling swimming pools and ponds
    • Ban on watering your garden
    • Ban on spraying to clean streets, pavements, terraces, roofs, facades, etc.
  • Limit your use of water, particularly during the peak hours: from 6am to 9am and from 6pm to 10pm.
  • Click on your residential area for an overview of the current measures:

AFTER

  • Continue to keep a close eye on your water consumption. Do not waste any water.

Impact and probability

Prolonged drought. Impact: low impact. Probability: likely.Extreme weather phenomena occur several times a year. It is expected that these risks will become more frequent and greater in the future, under the influence of climate change.

In 2018, the National Crisis Center coordinated a large-scale risk assessment for Belgium for the period 2018-2023. Several experts assessed various risks based on their probability and their impact on people, society, the environment and the economy.

For the risk of 'prolonged drought', the analysis is:

  • Impact: low impact
  • Probability: likely 

Read more about this analysis and what this chart means.

What does the government do?

The regional authorities (Flemish drought commission and Walloon crisis cell on drought) closely monitor the drought situation. They make assessments, monitor the availability of drinking water and advise governors and ministers on measures to be adopted.

During a period of prolonged drought, a minister, governor or mayor can convene a consultation on the drought and impose various measures to limit the consumption of (drinking) water, both for private use and for businesses.