The consumption of drinking water in Flanders in 2023 has reached its lowest level in 20 years, according to an analysis published Wednesday by the Flemish Environment Agency (VMM).
This annual report reviews the production and distribution of water in the northern part of the country. Last year, 334.4 million cubic metres of drinking water were delivered to the distribution network, compared to 388.7 million twenty years ago. This total includes both domestic and non-domestic use, such as industrial consumption.
Household consumption has significantly decreased, according to the VMM. In 2023, an average Flemish person used 80.8 litres of drinking water per day, about 10 litres less than ten years ago.
In Flanders, drinking water originates from groundwater (including aquifers) for 47.4% and from surface waters (rivers, lakes) for 52.6%. However, surface water production has significantly decreased. It fell from 201.5 million cubic metres in 2021 to 184.4 million in 2023, the agency reports.
The VMM report also indicates that Flemish water distribution companies are losing less water due to leaks. In 2019, these losses were estimated at 69.1 million cubic metres. This figure dropped to 52.4 million cubic metres in 2023.
