The Brussels region is injecting €180 million into Vivaqua to become a 49% shareholder in the water utility company, hoping to bring its finances under control. “The capital injection and the role granted to the Brussels region at the decision-making table should enable us to implement a strong and ambitious water policy,” said Ans Persoons, Brussels state secretary for the environment. Persoons acknowledged that the challenges are significant due to the “heavy legacy of the past”, but emphasised that she believed it would be possible
to reconcile “affordable” bills with the urgent investments needed in the Brussels’ sewerage and water distribution network. “The structural problems at Vivaqua have been dragging on for a long time, and the municipalities didn’t have the necessary clout to tackle them,” said Brussels finance minister Dirk De Smedt (Anders). “We’re now elevating Vivaqua to the regional level and putting the past behind us.” Vivaqua’s chairman, David Weytsman (MR), agreed that the challenges facing the company were significant, particularly with regard to the sewerage network, and
that funding from the region was necessary. The capital injection formalises what had already been agreed when the government was formed, namely that the Brussels region would strengthen its commitment to the water distribution company. By becoming a shareholder with a 49% stake in Vivaqua, the region gains a seat on the board of directors and thus a say in decision-making. The change to the shareholder structure will take place gradually and is due to be completed by 2030. In the initial phase, there will
be six directors from the Brussels region, in addition to the 29 municipal directors. The region will also have two government commissioners. From 2030, there will be 21 municipal directors remaining, alongside six regional directors. One of these directors will be appointed by finance minister De Smedt. The move is modelled on the systems in place in other regions: De Watergroep in Flanders and the Société Wallonne des Eaux in Wallonia. As announced in mid-April, the regional body Hydria will also transfer five storm water
basins and 40km of sewer mains to Vivaqua. In addition to the production and distribution of drinking water, Vivaqua will henceforth also be responsible for the management of all rainwater basins and the entire sewerage network. Hydria will then focus exclusively on the treatment of sewage before it is returned to the natural environment. The €180 million investment will be made in three instalments of €60 million, one per year.
Brussels region, Vivaqua, water utility, sewerage network, Hydria, €180 million, 49% stake, Ans Persoons, Dirk De Smedt, David Weytsman, board of directors, storm water basins, sewer mains, 2030