The summer of 2022 is in the top 5 driest years since the measurements started in 1901. The persistent drought already led to ‘an actual water shortage’ in July.
According to the minister, the drinking water supply was not at risk, but various water boards took measures. For example, in some parts of the Netherlands there was a ban on spraying in agriculture and pumps and pumping stations were used to better distribute the water. The government also called on everyone to be economical with tap water. Is it really necessary to fill that inflatable pool completely with water? Or to wash the car now?
In the Netherlands you pay one rate for water use. In Belgium they do it differently. There you pay a basic price for ‘normal’ drinking water use. That is the amount of water that an average household uses per person. For everything above that – filling the swimming pool or watering the backyard – a so-called comfort price has to be paid. The comfort price is double the base price. In this way, drinking water remains affordable as a basic necessity of life and you pay extra for all ‘unnecessary’ water consumption. The numbers show that it works. A Fleming consumes an average of 89 liters of drinking water per day; The Dutch average 125 liters.
Statement: a basic price for ‘normal’ water use and a higher rate for the extras
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