Belgium risks EU fines over poor water quality

07.02.2025 | Fundamental right

PFAS, nitrates and pesticides pose the biggest challenges

European Commission: Belgium must take urgent action for cleaner water

The European Commission urges Belgium to improve the quality of the surface water and groundwater to improve significantly. A recent assessment of the Water Framework Directive shows that Belgium is far from achieving the agreed goals. Without rapid and effective measures, there is a risk financial sanctions.

European water standards remain out of reach for Belgium

According to the Water Framework Directive out 2000 All European water bodies – from rivers to groundwater reserves – must be subject to 2027 are in good ecological and chemical condition. However, the figures show a worrying picture:

• In 2021 only satisfied 39,5% of European surface water to ecological standards, and only 26,8% met the chemical standards.
• Belgium performs worse than the European average: none Belgian surface water currently meets the chemical requirements.

The main culprits are mercury, PFAS and heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. Only 27,4% of the Belgian waters has a good ecological status, a minimal improvement compared to 2015 (26,2%). Nitrate pollution and pesticides from agriculture remain major bottlenecks.

Groundwater under pressure: overuse and pollution

Although the quality of the groundwater Although things are slightly better, significant problems remain:

• The availability of groundwater threatens in 2027 to be insufficient by excessive withdrawal.
• Almost half of the groundwater reserves in Belgium still has a poor chemical status, despite a slight improvement since 2015.

In addition, the European Commission points to the increased risk of floods in all Belgian regions. The risk management varies greatly by region and is complicated by financing problems and poor coordination.

Impending sanctions for non-compliance with EU water directives

If Belgium achieves the objectives of the Water Framework Directive does not get against 2027, there can be fines to follow.

Jessika Roswall, the European Commissioner for the Environment, emphasises:
💬 “Belgium must move quickly to improve water quality, tackle chemical pollution and strengthen flood management.”

Agriculture and industry as major polluters

The agricultural sector and industrial activities are the main causes of current water pollution. The European Environment Agency previously pointed out these factors in a report October last year.

📍 Especially in West Flanders the situation is critical, with high concentrations pesticides and PFAS due to both intensive agriculture and historical industrial pollution.

Response from Flemish Minister Jo Brouns: “Not everything is black and white”

Jo Brouns (CD&V), Flemish Minister of Environment, points to various ongoing initiatives that should improve water quality, including the Blue Deal, the renewed Pesticides Action Plan and the Manure action plan.

However, Brouns acknowledges that achieving the 2027 targets is unfeasible:
💬 “We already knew that these goals were not within reach. Flanders must improve, but we cannot build an ecological paradise at the expense of our economy.”

He also points out the strict grading system of the European Commission, whereby water bodies are completely rejected if they fail to comply for just one substance.

💬 “A little bit of elevated cholesterol doesn't make you seriously ill right away. Step-by-step improvements will eventually get us where we need to be.”

Brouns will advocate for the EU more customization and attention to the specific characteristics of Flanders.