(4) Further development of the vision to financing water management:
Corresponding water management task: (5) Big challenges will have to be
coped with limited means.
(5) Further stimulation of multifunctional use of water
(6) Working together on a strong and coordinated water management.
7.3 The Flemish Geo-hydrological Context: Using Data
for Cooperation
7.3.1 Drought in the Context of Water Management
in Flanders
In Flanders, pressure on water resources is high, which is amongst others due to the
high population density. Water managers have historically paid much attention to
guaranteeing water supply and water quality and mitigating the risk of flooding.
Nevertheless, drought and water scarcity resulting from drought, are well known
problems in specific sectors relying on a good water supply, such as agriculture.
In the past, Flanders, as most European regions, has experienced droughts in the
years 1976, 1996, 2003, 2006 and 2011 [for further information see Chap. 6 ]. In
recent years, droughts have had several consequences in Flanders. On some
occasions water extraction from the Albertkanaal has been restricted. The 1996,
2006 and 2011 droughts were recognized as agricultural disasters and affected
farmers were financially compensated. Temporary restrictions have been placed on
the draft of ships on the Meuse river and in 2003 also on the use of the locks.
Furthermore, Flanders experienced also other problems related to droughts; due to
the wildfire in the nature reserve Kalmthoutse Heide in 2011, about 600 ha of
heathland has been burned.
Drought policy in Flanders is based on the implementation of the European
guidelines laid out in the WFD (EC 2000), resource efficiency policy (EC 2011),
Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources (EC 2012) and the
Communication on drought and water scarcity (EC 2007). The management of
water resources in Flanders, and hence the implementation of measures concerning
drought and water scarcity, is delegated to a number of water managers with
specific competences. The Division of Operational Water Management of the
VMM is competent for the management of about 1,400 km of the larger unnavigable watercourses. As part of the DROP project, the VMM pilot is focussed on the
improvement of drought risk management and the improvement of knowledge and
data collection, which were listed as policy options in the European Commission’s
Communication on drought and water scarcity (EC 2007).
144
J. Tröltzsch et al.
Corresponding water management task: (5) Big challenges will have to be
coped with limited means.
(5) Further stimulation of multifunctional use of water
(6) Working together on a strong and coordinated water management.
7.3 The Flemish Geo-hydrological Context: Using Data
for Cooperation
7.3.1 Drought in the Context of Water Management
in Flanders
In Flanders, pressure on water resources is high, which is amongst others due to the
high population density. Water managers have historically paid much attention to
guaranteeing water supply and water quality and mitigating the risk of flooding.
Nevertheless, drought and water scarcity resulting from drought, are well known
problems in specific sectors relying on a good water supply, such as agriculture.
In the past, Flanders, as most European regions, has experienced droughts in the
years 1976, 1996, 2003, 2006 and 2011 [for further information see Chap. 6 ]. In
recent years, droughts have had several consequences in Flanders. On some
occasions water extraction from the Albertkanaal has been restricted. The 1996,
2006 and 2011 droughts were recognized as agricultural disasters and affected
farmers were financially compensated. Temporary restrictions have been placed on
the draft of ships on the Meuse river and in 2003 also on the use of the locks.
Furthermore, Flanders experienced also other problems related to droughts; due to
the wildfire in the nature reserve Kalmthoutse Heide in 2011, about 600 ha of
heathland has been burned.
Drought policy in Flanders is based on the implementation of the European
guidelines laid out in the WFD (EC 2000), resource efficiency policy (EC 2011),
Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources (EC 2012) and the
Communication on drought and water scarcity (EC 2007). The management of
water resources in Flanders, and hence the implementation of measures concerning
drought and water scarcity, is delegated to a number of water managers with
specific competences. The Division of Operational Water Management of the
VMM is competent for the management of about 1,400 km of the larger unnavigable watercourses. As part of the DROP project, the VMM pilot is focussed on the
improvement of drought risk management and the improvement of knowledge and
data collection, which were listed as policy options in the European Commission’s
Communication on drought and water scarcity (EC 2007).
144
J. Tröltzsch et al.