Antwerp-based company Water-link on Monday guaranteed the quality of the drinking water it supplies primarily to the Flemish capital and surrounding areas, following concerns about industrial pollution.
The company’s statement followed a report suggesting that wastewater from various industries may be adversely affecting the quality of the water in the River Meuse.
The international report was released by Riwa-Meuse, an association of Belgian and Dutch drinking water companies that use the Meuse as their source. The river, source of drinking water for almost seven million people, requires rigorous protection measures.
Fearing improper protection, Riwa-Meuse highlighted potential issues with incomplete procedures that make it difficult to identify harmful substances entering the water and their location.
Responding to the association's annual report, Water-link said it was “a yearly Dutch call to draw attention to the Meuse’s industrial pollution – a concern of major significance.”
However, the Antwerp water supplier downplayed the alarming nature of the report. “Though we share the concerns, the situation in Flanders is not entirely the same as in the Netherlands," it argued. "We are consulted on every discharge permit that could affect our water sources, ensuring their protection and maintaining the safety of our drinking water supply.”
Water-link said it collects about 30 samples daily to monitor the quality of the distributed water. “We support Riwa-Meuse’s call for greater transparency and stricter discharge permits into the Meuse,” the Antwerp company concluded.
Riwa-Meuse counts Water-link as well as the Brussels water company Vivaqua among its members.
