Brussels lifts drought alert after wet autumn

A drought alert across the Brussels region has been lifted, after two months on code yellow.

Brussels Environment announced the change following a meeting of the regional drought cell, which brings together the environment agency, water company Vivaqua and the regional security service safe.brussels.

Rainfall in recent weeks, and especially during the storm of 24 October, has largely made up for the dry summer. The level of the Meuse remains a concern, however.

Vivaqua said drinking water supplies are running normally. Its reserve wells give it extra production capacity if needed, but it is keeping an eye on the Meuse, which feeds its treatment plant at Tailfer in Namur province.

Water levels in the region's rivers and streams are now normal for the time of year. Groundwater levels are still falling, according to Bruzz, but are no longer at a critical point. The drought cell will continue to monitor the situation.