Relation of river discharge and precipitation with water intake stops: the Meuse case

Surface Waters are important in the provision of drinking water, food production, the industry sector and nature. However, their quality has been deteriorating due to direct discharges from industrial and sewage water treatment plants, and the low dilution of contaminants during dry periods. Chemicals of Emerging Concern (CEC) such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides are becoming more occurrent in the Meuse. This river is an important drinking water source; therefore, it is crucial to guarantee surface water quality for the supply of high-quality drinking water. When signaling values of CEC are exceeded, drinking water companies stop their intake of water. Dry scenarios, lower discharge in the Meuse and higher concentrations of CEC are expected in the future. Thus, intake stops might increase as well.