What happened
On 19 October 2026, the European Commission and the governments of Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels-Capital signed a joint water-policy statement in Leuven. The agreement sets common priorities for improving water status, while assigning separate actions to each region. For operators, it signals more systematic attention to water withdrawals, industrial releases, wastewater treatment and water efficiency.
The signatories committed to protect aquatic ecosystems, improve the water cycle and build resilience to both flooding and drought. They will take account of rivers’ and ecosystems’ requirements when water is scarce, and coordinate the removal of obstacles on watercourses that cross regional boundaries.
Measures include restoring floodplains and deploying nature-based interventions to hold water, reduce flood risk and support biodiversity. The statement also calls for stronger work on persistent contaminants, notably PFAS and pesticides, and for more regular reviews of abstraction and industrial-discharge permits.
Why it matters
The agreement places pollution prevention, efficient water use and resilient infrastructure at the centre of regional water policy. Companies with significant water demand or discharges should assess whether their permits, monitoring and wastewater arrangements are prepared for closer regulatory scrutiny.
It also identifies potential areas for investment and collaboration, including digital water tools, wastewater upgrades and green-blue infrastructure. The Commission said it will support Belgian efforts through the European Water Resilience Strategy, covering research, innovation, skills, digitalisation and public and private finance.
Regional commitments
Flanders will invest in water resilience and address industrial pollution, including through its IMPULSE programme. Wallonia will use a €300 million European Investment Bank loan, secured in 2025, for river restoration in the Vesdre basin, while supporting industrial water-efficiency and eco-innovation projects. Brussels-Capital will focus on water governance and wastewater treatment.
The Commission said the dialogue followed its assessment of Belgium’s third river-basin management plans and second flood-risk management plans, which identified areas where implementation could be accelerated.
