Flemish water groups call for action to protect drinking water

12 December 2025

The Water Coalition, an association of more than 14 environmental and nature organisations, presented a 40-point plan for Flemish drinking water on Friday morning. Water pollution entails high social costs, the coalition stated in a press release.

The “monstrous invoice”

The 14 organisations, including Bond Beter Leefmilieu and other environmental groups, also delivered a symbolic “monstrous invoice” to Flemish minister of environment Jo Brouns (CD&V) and minister of welfare Caroline Gennez (Vooruit).

The 1 billion euro invoice highlights the potential costs to society associated with contaminated drinking water. “This includes the costs of additional purification and infrastructure to remove pollutants, such as PFAS, nitrates, and pesticides, from the water,” the Water Coalition stated.

Tackling pollution at the source

“The Flemish government cannot afford to sit idly by in the face of such a clear crisis. We are proposing a series of very concrete measures,” said Benjamin Clarysse of Bond Beter Leefmilieu. “And the most important of all: finally tackle pollution at the source.”

“Our waterways are overloaded. Even with expensive, advanced techniques, we can no longer completely eliminate this chemical cocktail. By tackling pollution at the source, we not only ensure clean rivers but also guarantee our healthy drinking water,” stated Robin Verachtert of Natuurpunt.

"We don't compromise on health"

Join For Water also highlights the problem, though Toon Malevé emphasises that some “quick wins” are achievable. These could include a digital pesticide use register, collective rainwater harvesting, stricter inspections of groundwater extraction and active incentives for organic farming.

Press moment of the Water Coalition to present a water memorandum and a symbolic sample invoice to Flemish ministers Jo Brouns and Caroline Gennez, Friday 12 December 2025, in Brussels. With this action, the Water Coalition is drawing attention to the growing costs of polluted drinking water and to the question of who should pay the bill: the citizen or the polluter. ©BELGA PHOTO MAARTEN WEYNANTS

According to Brouns, "the Flemish government is taking action." Both Brouns and Crevits accepted the bill after meeting with the activists. "We don't compromise on health; it's very important to us that our drinking water is safe," Brouns said later in an interview with Belga. He confirmed that he will propose a drinking water plan to the Flemish government in January, "the first ever in Flanders".

_{#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}

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