Flanders escalates to code orange, Netherlands declares water shortage as drought grips Low Countries

Flanders raises drought alert to code orange

The Flemish Drought Commission escalated the drought management level from code yellow to orange on 16 July, signalling effective water scarcity across the region. The decision extends a pumping ban to nearly all non-navigable waterways in the province of Antwerp and closes mobile water extraction points on navigable waterways in the IJzer basin. Ships must now pass through locks in groups to conserve water, and depth restrictions are in force on some routes. The commission also raised the drinking water supply indicator to code yellow as a precaution, though authorities stressed that tap water distribution is not currently threatened anywhere in Flanders.

Watering the garden or washing the car with drinking water is the kind of waste we must avoid now. So don't do it.

Netherlands declares actual water shortage

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management announced an official water shortage on 16 July, upgrading from a "threatening" status declared earlier in July. The Rhine and Meuse rivers, which supply most of the country's fresh water, have seen sharply reduced flows after a warm June and a dry July. The national precipitation deficit climbed to around 200 millimetres, placing 2026 among the 5% driest years since records began. The shortage triggers a nationally agreed priority list: drinking water and dike stability come first, followed by industry, agriculture, and shipping.

Because we are at the end of the pipeline, we are completely dependent on what other countries send our way.

Emergency measures to keep salt water out

To prevent salt water from the sea pushing inland, the Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland activated its climate-proof water supply system at full capacity on 16 July. The system, which started on 30 June at 7,000 litres per second and was increased to 11,000 on 9 July, now pumps the maximum 15,000 litres per second from the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal into the western Netherlands. The usual fresh water inlet at Gouda was closed because the water there had already become too saline, forcing authorities to open an alternative route at Bodegraven.

It's all hands on deck.

Extraction bans and local impacts

In Limburg, the drought is so severe that the province entered phase red on 17 July at 08:00, banning almost all surface water extraction. Residents may not irrigate gardens, football pitches cannot be watered, and many farmers are barred from spraying. Exceptions apply for firefighting, livestock drinking, fruit cooling, and keeping ground moist to prevent foundation damage. Waterschap De Dommel in Brabant extended its extraction ban to its entire territory and is pumping groundwater to keep nature streams from drying out. Near Den Bosch, Waterschap Aa en Maas is using treated wastewater to replenish ditches and streams.

Drought means damage, and it is often irreparable for flora and fauna. This is really extreme.

Agriculture and the search for alternatives

Flemish minister Jo Brouns announced measures to support farmers, including easier reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation and the opening of additional water production centres at Herentals, Balen, and Grobbendonk from next week. In the Netherlands, tree nurseries in Boskoop and the Bollenstreek still have sufficient fresh water thanks to the emergency supply, but growers are longing for rain. The 1996 Meuse Discharge Treaty between Belgium and the Netherlands sets a distribution key when the river flow drops to 30 cubic metres per second: Flanders would then receive only 10 cubic metres per second, while it normally needs about 15.

At a flow of 30 cubic metres per second, only 10 cubic metres per second remains for Flanders under the distribution key, while normally about 15 is needed.

What lies ahead

With no significant rainfall forecast and high temperatures expected to persist, water managers in both countries warn that conditions will worsen in the coming weeks. Amsterdam has so far been spared major disruption, but water expert Maarten Ouboter cautioned that "if it gets drier, it could start to pinch." Stench from sewers and the risk of botulism from animal carcasses in stagnant water are already emerging as urban side-effects. The Flemish Drought Commission and Dutch water boards say they are monitoring the situation closely and stand ready to impose further restrictions if needed.