Drinking tap water remains a popular choice for many Belgians, with eight out of ten Flemish residents reporting they drink kraantjeswater at home. This insight comes from a recent study conducted by AquaFlanders in Flanders, revealed on 2025-05-05 10:30:00. Despite the widespread use, cultural habits around serving tap water to guests still lag behind.
- Acht op tien Vlamingen drinken kraantjeswater
- Limburg heeft hoogste kraantjeswaterconsumptie
- Kraantjeswater kost 300 keer minder dan fleswater
- Weinig kraantjeswater geserveerd bij bezoek
- Horeca biedt zelden kraantjeswater aan
- Perceptie weerhoudt kraantjeswater serveren gasten
In Limburg, a remarkable 89% of people consume tap water, while West Flanders shows the lowest figure at 75%. The affordability of kraantjeswater, costing just 0.7 eurocent per liter—300 times cheaper than bottled water—makes it an economical and sustainable choice. Yet, many hesitate to offer it to visitors or find it rarely served in restaurants.
Why is there such reluctance to serve tap water, even though it is local, sustainable, and of high quality? Let’s explore this contradiction and what it means for Belgian households and hospitality.
Is the hesitation to serve tap water a matter of perception rather than reality? AquaFlanders’ director Carl Heyrman points out that despite its quality and cost-effectiveness, many still view bottled water as more appropriate for guests. This attitude affects not only households but also the hospitality sector.
- Tap water is incredibly affordable and environmentally friendly.
- Quality standards in Flanders ensure safe and tasty drinking water.
- Social norms influence serving habits more than facts.
- Encouraging tap water use can reduce plastic waste significantly.
Looking ahead, promoting the benefits of tap water and shifting social norms around its use could lead to more sustainable habits in Belgian homes and businesses. Could a simple glass of kraantjeswater become the new standard for hospitality across Belgium?
