Development of a risk-based approach for better protection of drinking water catchments in Flanders (Belgium)

Abstract

Around 70% of the drinking water produced by De Watergroep (a Belgian public water company) is extracted from 83 groundwater pumping sites. To control the risks that endanger the drinking water supply and for the groundwater extracted to be as pure as possible, a risk-based approach for the protection of the catchment areas is developed, as part of the water safety plans. The approach consists of three steps: first, the compilation of a site-specific source file, second, the performance of a risk analysis for every catchment area, and third, the development of a monitoring strategy and action plans. The general goals are to lower the level of purification and to enhance the sustainability of groundwater extraction. The listed benefits make it worthwhile to implement this approach, despite the uncertainties.

Governance Conditions for Improving Quality Drinking Water Resources: the Need for Enhancing Connectivity

“…Other studies demonstrated that the challenges for drinking water resources are comparable in neighbouring countries like Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany and Denmark (e.g. (Flindt Jörgensen et al 2016;Overheu et al, 2011;Six et al 2015). These can also be recognised in the wider international arena (e.g.…”

Occurrence of pathogens in the river–groundwater interface in a losing river stretch (Besòs River Delta, Spain)

“…Major ion compositions showed that River Besòs and the groundwater in the shallow aquifer presented similar composition, being Cl-(SO4)-Na-(K) and Cl-(SO4)-Ca-(Mg) types, respectively (see Piper diagram in Fig. 3a, Simler, 2009). As river water is the main recharge source of the aquifer, most of the major ions showed similar average concentrations in both water compartments (see Stiff diagram in Fig.…”

“…Often urban areas must pump water resources to cover various aspects of the growing urban water demand or as a strategic resource to cover demand at specific times (Howard and Israfilov, 2002;Vázquez-Suñé et al, 2005;Jurado et al, 2017). In fact, groundwater is used for water supply purposes in many European countries (Six et al, 2015;Smith et al, 2015), however, this is not the case of Barcelona (northeast Spain), where near 70% of water supply (northeast Spain) comes from surface water.…”

Towards an effective protection of groundwater resources: putting policy into practice with the drinking water protection file

“…The challenges for groundwater quality and the tools used for risk assessment are comparable too (e.g. Marchant et al, 2011;Overheu et al, 2011;Six et al, 2015). The focus on roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in the Drinking Water Protection Files can be recognized too in a more general international arena on sustainable use of groundwater, groundwater protection and safe drinking water production in the USA, European working groups and Flanders (Belgium) (see, for instance, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1997; BurVal Working Group, 2006;Howard & Schmoll, 2006;CLImate change & groundWATer (CLIWAT), 2011;Lijzen et al, 2014;Six et al, 2015).…”