The European Water Framework Directive requires Flanders to get the water quality in designated watercourses right by 2027. In the Meuse basin, and especially the Dommel river basin, that target remains far off. Reports by the Vlaamse Land- en Milieumaatschappij show that high nitrate levels, largely from agriculture, cause eutrophication. But industry, domestic wastewater, sewage infrastructure and water treatment also contribute to pollution. In January 2022, 18 partners, including the municipalities of Peer, Pelt, Hechtel-Eksel and Lommel, signed the River Contract Dommel. Through 46 actions, this partnership aims to improve water quality, optimise the water structure to better cope with drought and flooding and increase citizen involvement.
This project aims to set up farmers' knowledge groups around specific watercourses within the Dommel drainage basin. The improvement of water quality (and quantity) in this area is the spearhead of the river contract the Dommel for which various agencies and municipal structures have committed themselves. Farmers have a not to be underestimated influence in this and at the same time, many are growing interested in the state of the water in their immediate surroundings.
The project's main objective is the sustainable improvement of water quality in the Dommel river drainage basin through a joint approach with farmers as the central partner. To this end, several concrete objectives are formulated that reinforce each other and together lead to measurable results.
- Establishment of farmer knowledge groups
- Active monitoring of water quality by farmers
- Demonstration and evaluation of measures
- Improving soil quality and soil management
- Research on effects of sprinkling
- Water quality passport per plot
- Continuous nutrient monitoring
