WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2617/96 by Paul LANNOYE to the Commission. Subsidy of the 'Transhennuyère' project, designed to end overexploitation of the Pecq-Roubaix (PR) aquifer by transfers of water taken primarily from the Péruwelz- Seneffe (PS) aquifer under Objective 1 (Hainaut)
Date: 1996-10-14
Institutions: European Parliament, LANNOYE
Subjects: EU financing, European Regional Development Fund, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Province of Hainault, environmental impact, environmental protection, exchange of information, groundwater, water management













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91996E2617

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2617/96 by Paul LANNOYE to the Commission. Subsidy of the 'Transhennuyère' project, designed to end overexploitation of the Pecq-Roubaix (PR) aquifer by transfers of water taken primarily from the Péruwelz- Seneffe (PS) aquifer under Objective 1 (Hainaut)  


Official Journal C 072 , 07/03/1997 P. 0063 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2617/96 by Paul Lannoye (V) to the Commission (14 October 1996)Subject: Subsidy of the 'Transhennuyère' project, designed to end overexploitation of the Pecq-Roubaix (PR) aquifer by transfers of water taken primarily from the Péruwelz-Seneffe (PS) aquifer under Objective 1 (Hainaut)The overexploitation of the PR basin dates back to the early 1900s. In 1971, 65 million m3 of water per year was drawn from it but by 1990 the figure was 78 million m3 per year, even though the natural supply level was estimated at 57 million m3 per year. The Belgian authorities have never taken any measures to preserve this aquifer through more rational water use.In 1990 the executive body of the Region of Wallonia instructed its Ministry for Water to contact all parties concerned with a view to holding a trilateral conference (Wallonia, Flanders and France) at an early date in order to ensure the best possible management of this carboniferous limestone aquifer. The decision was never followed up. The plan to draw water from the PS aquifer is thus not based on any strategy for the rational management of water resources: there has been no study of demand which might have revealed potential water savings in the various industries involved (more efficient procedures, closed-circuit water utilization) or any potential reductions in water lost in the distribution network.Thus, the EU subsidy granted to the 'Transhennuyère' project under Objective 1 has not led to a modernization of existing practices for the use of natural resources but only serves to paper over the shortcomings of the Belgian authorities by transferring the risk of overexploitation to another region. Indeed, the development potential of the Péruwelz region is now under threat. In the absence of an impact study, it is impossible to determine the effect of drawing water from the PS aquifer on the numerous springs and wetlands in the area. Were they to dry out, this would be disastrous for the development projects based on attracting tourists to landscapes and biotopes currently planned in this crossborder region.Does the Commission not think, therefore, that subsidising the 'Transhennuyère' project is unjustified and even contradicts regional policy guidelines?Joint answer to Written Questions E-2605/96 and E-2617/96 given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (8 November 1996)The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that it is re-examining the 'Transhennuyère' project, designed to combat overexploitation of the Pecq-Roubaix aquifer, in the light of its environmental impact on the Péruwelz area.In view of the complexity of this investment, following a preliminary technical meeting with the Walloon authorities, the Commission asked for additional information to enable it to adopt a final position on the project.The Commission has informed the Walloon regional authorities that ERDF part-financing for this project has been suspended for the time being.