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🇧🇪 Belgium /Environment & Climate

Tienen sugar factory offers farmers 1 million liters of water daily amid drought

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Farmers can once again collect water from the Tienen sugar factory to irrigate their fields during a drought.
  • The factory can provide up to 1 million liters of water daily, as water levels in waterways are critically low across more than 83% of measurement points.
  • A temporary ban on water extraction from non-navigable waterways remains in effect, making the factory's offer crucial for agriculture.

Farmers in Belgium can now access up to 1 million liters of water daily from the Tienen sugar factory to irrigate their crops. This initiative comes as a severe drought continues to impact the agricultural sector, with water levels in most measurement points being critically low for this time of year.

Despite some recent rainfall, the dry conditions persist, and little precipitation is expected in the coming week, offering no immediate relief. A month ago, a temporary ban on extracting water from non-navigable waterways and ditches was implemented, restricting farmers' access to essential resources.

We have up to 1 million liters of water available every day.

— Jan IngelsTiense Suiker spokesperson Jan Ingels explains the factory's capacity to supply water to farmers.

Jan Ingels, a spokesperson for Tiense Suiker, highlighted the factory's capacity to supply water, stating, "Sugar beets consist of 75 percent water. Every day we obtain about 1 million [liters] that we can make available to agriculture during dry periods." Farmers can begin collecting water immediately, providing a vital lifeline for their crops during this challenging dry spell.

Sugar beets consist of 75 percent water. Every day we obtain about 1 million [liters] that we can make available to agriculture during dry periods.

— Jan IngelsTiense Suiker spokesperson Jan Ingels highlights the importance of water for sugar beets and the factory's role in providing it.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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