The Brussels-Capital Region will invest 180 million in Vivaqua, the city’s intermunicipal water company, acquiring a 49 percent stake and gaining a seat at the decision-making table.
The move, approved by the regional government on Thursday, aims to strengthen water policy and address long-standing structural challenges, including aging sewer infrastructure and affordability concerns. The investment will be rolled out in three annual installments of 60 million euros.
Environment and Climate State Secretary Ans Persoons (Vooruit), along with Finance Minister Dirk De Smedt (Anders) and Local Governance Minister Ahmed Laaouej (PS), announced the decision on Friday.
Persoons emphasized that the capital injection will enable ambitious water management, balancing urgent infrastructure upgrades with affordable bills for residents. De Smedt added that elevating Vivaqua to a regional level will help resolve its persistent issues, which local municipalities lacked the resources to tackle.
The investment increases the region’s debt but may be excluded from the ESR (Excessive Deficit Procedure) perimeter, pending approval from the National Accounts Institute.
David Weytsman (MR), Vivaqua’s chairman, welcomed the financial support, calling it essential for modernizing the sewer network.
The gradual restructuring of Vivaqua’s ownership, set to conclude by 2030, will grant the region representation on the board for the first time.
