Water restrictions imposed in 15 Brussels suburbs

Households in 15 municipalities in Flemish Brabant have been told to reduce their water usage from Monday or face a fine of up to €2,000.

The water restrictions have been imposed due to drought conditions. Watering plants and lawns, cleaning cars and filling swimming pools is banned from 23 July.

The affected municipalities are Affligem, Asse, Bever, Dilbeek, Galmaarden, Gooik, Halle, Herne, Lennik, Liedekerke, Pepingen, Roosdaal, Rhode-Saint-Genèse, Sint-Pieters-Leeuw and Ternat.

The police order prohibits the cleaning of facades, roofs, courtyards, sports fields, lawns and gardens - except for agricultural activities. Streets, pavements, motor vehicles and trailers cannot be cleaned either.

Fines range from €26 to €2,000 and the law even allows for prison sentences of eight to 14 days.

Last month was Belgium's dryest month of June in 40 years. Temperatures up to 33°C are forecast for the end of next week, according to the Royal Metereological Institute.