Clean waterways for everyone
Aquafin treats waste water from almost 88% of people in Flanders before returning it to nature. In doing so, we improve water quality across Flanders every single day. That benefits aquatic life and everyone who enjoys clean rivers and streams.
Clean water for people and nature
Through our collector sewers, we catch domestic waste water and channel it to one of our water treatment plants in Flanders. There, around 800 billion litres of domestic waste water – equivalent to 880 Olympic-sized swimming pools per day – undergoes thorough treatment so it can safely flow back into the natural environment. These efforts are delivering results. Species that had long disappeared, such as twait shad and river lamprey, along with beavers and otters, are now being spotted again. Water is also reclaiming its place in our cities. Living by the water and spending time there has never been more popular.
Clean water starts beneath our feet
What you see in a stream or river often begins underground. Before waste water can be treated, it must first be properly collected and transported. Aquafin ensures that the Flemish sewer system remains reliable while developing smart solutions for rainwater and wastewater. This means we prevent leaks and untreated discharges, and make the system more resilient to heavy rainfall and climate change.
That’s how we make a difference
Behind every clean stream or river lies cooperation, innovation and care for our living environment. These figures show how Aquafin makes a difference every day.
When is surface water clean enough?
Today, almost 70% of Flemish water bodies have moderate to very good biological quality, according to the Flemish Environment Agency. This indicates that aquatic life is recovering. However, there is still work to be done. To comply with the European Water Framework Directive, water bodies must also meet strict chemical and ecological standards.
An extra step against micropollutants
Even small quantities of residues from medicines, pesticides or other chemical substances can harm the environment. That’s why Aquafin is introducing a fourth treatment stage – known as quaternary treatment. In 2025, the first installation was commissioned in Aartselaar. This enables us to build upon our existing knowledge and experience, so that the technology can be rolled out more widely, taking another important step towards improving water quality in Flanders.