1 in 20 Belgian Homes Still Lack Sewer Connection.. Shocking Local Stats Revealed

1 in 20 Belgian Homes Still Lack Sewer Connection, New Stats Show

Rioleringsgraad in Vlaanderen reaches 88.4 percent, yet complete sewer connection remains impossible—discover why individual wastewater treatments play a vital role.

Marie Dupont6 June 2025Last Update : 1 day ago

1 op de 20 huizen heeft nog geen rioolaansluiting: ontdek hoe het zit in jouw gemeente

www.vrt.be

Water purification remains a critical topic for Belgium, especially in Flanders where wastewater treatment efforts continue to evolve. On 2025-06-06 09:38:00, new insights into the region’s sanitation coverage were shared, highlighting the balance between collective sewer systems and individual wastewater treatment solutions.

6 Key Takeaways

Rioleringsgraad van 100 procent is onmogelijk
Individuele behandeling afvalwater vervangt rioolaansluiting
Septische put zuivert minder grondig afvalwater
Platteland gebruikt kostbare individuele waterzuiveringen
Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij berekent saneringsgraad
88,4 procent van afvalwater wordt gezuiverd

Despite high ambitions, achieving a 100 percent sewer connection rate across Flanders is not feasible. Many rural homes rely on individual wastewater treatment systems, such as septic tanks, which offer an alternative to the collective network but do not purify water as thoroughly.

So, how effective is Flanders in treating its wastewater overall? And what does this mean for residents and local authorities? Here’s a concise overview of the current state of water purification in the region.

Fast Answer: Approximately 88.4% of wastewater in Flanders is treated through a combination of collective sewer networks and individual treatment systems, reflecting significant progress but also ongoing challenges, especially in rural areas.

Why is full sewer connection impossible, and how important are individual systems? The costs and logistics of connecting every home, particularly in rural zones, make universal sewer access impractical. Individual treatment systems bridge this gap, though with some limitations.

About 2% of Flemish residents depend on individual wastewater treatment (IBA) solutions.
Local governments have invested heavily to improve these systems where sewer connections are unfeasible.
The newly calculated sanitation rate of 88.4% combines both collective and individual treatment effectiveness.
Rural areas face higher costs and complexity in sewer infrastructure expansion.

This sanitation progress is crucial for Belgium’s environmental goals, balancing urban infrastructure with rural realities to protect water quality across Flanders.

Looking ahead, continued investment in both sewer expansion and individual treatment technologies will be vital. Can Belgium innovate further to boost sanitation rates? Residents and policymakers alike will need to collaborate to ensure clean water for all communities.