Brussels Regional Minister for Public Works Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) has voiced her conditional support for Vivaqua, the public water company on the edge of collapse.
CEO Laurence Bovy has warned of financial difficulties that might have "incalculable" effects on Vivaqua's activities. The company provides drinking water to 2.25 million homes in the Brussels-Capital Region and manages wastewater treatment and flood prevention. Bovy called for an increase in public funding to ensure the continuation of its activities.
Van den Brandt has since acknowledged that "investments are needed." She pointed out that Vivaqua currently does not receive any government funding but instead relies on water pricing – revenue that now falls short of expenditure.
Van den Brandt suggested the possibility of government funding, but said that this was conditional upon a greater say in the company's management. An audit is currently underway to determine a suitable decision-making model. The next Brussels Government will be tasked with reaching a final decision.
Meanwhile, the Minister emphasised that the government has already provided financial support to Vivaqua. It has invested €12 million per year since 2019, bringing the total amount to €6o million. "We will continue to invest. We won't let Vivaqua go under," she concluded.
