BE 2: Increasing the availability of freshwater for agriculture by improving local hydrogeological conditions
Responsible beneficiary: Flanders Environment Agency
Farmers in West-Flanders make significant use of groundwater from the Paleocene aquifer (called "Landenian" aquifer) for their water supply. For years, the level of the Paleocene aquifer is decreasing, compromising the water supply through this layer. In addition, shallow water resources are scarce because of the brackish nature of the top aquifer near the coast, and the shallow occurrence of aquitards (clay layers) deeper inland.
The pilot project aims to look into a number of measures that increase the availability of freshwater for agriculture in the polder area of West-Flanders. The expected impact of this pilot project is highly anticipated in the river basin management plans for Flanders. The pilot project will evaluate the possibilities for freshwater storage and aims to specify what measures can be taken to achieve this. Together with the water users and water managers, it wants to prepare a plan for the realization of one or more pilot projects that can improve the availability of freshwater.
This action will result in the following results :
• Watersystem analysis (geology, groundwater and surface water) using existing data, models, knowledge and maps.
• Stakeholder Participation: collect and discuss the interests and opinions of the various stakeholders. Collect information on water demand and economic conditions. Define desired pilot project sites. Form: interviews and workshops.
• Overview of possible measures to improve the supply of freshwater and hydrological conditions.
• Implementation of one or more pilot projects with monitoring and modelling.
Stakeholders are municipalities, farmers and farmers association.
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