As temperatures rise so does the demand for a refreshing dip. But Belgium has few locations where wild swimming is allowed.
Despite wild swimming already being possible in more than 100 ponds, watercourses and lakes in Flanders (a 14% increase since 2020), these spots are regulated by laws that go beyond EU recommendations. Now, a long-awaited decree might soon be approved, making it easier to swim in more outdoor sites.
"To provide more swimming opportunities in open water, we will simplify the rules to create a recognised swimming zone," Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir said. This will remove the current stipulation that there must be fire extinguishers, evacuation routes, shower cubicles and other sanitary facilities at the locations.
Power to local authorities
Flemish MP and councillor in Kampenhout Gwenny De Vroe submitted the proposal for laxer rules to create new open-air swimming spaces in her municipality. "Being able to swim in the open air and in nature is pure freedom. But outdated regulations make it virtually impossible."
An additional aim of the decree is to ensure that local governments can provide new sites in their areas in the most accessible way possible.
In many places in Flanders, swimming is still prohibited. Credit: Belga / Virginie Lefour
A new category for free swimming zones will be added to the Flemish Environmental Permit Regulations. To create a swimming zone, municipalities will only have to ensure a water quality test, permission from the owner or manager and a risk assessment approved by the Care and Health Agency.
Complete deregulation?
The Environment Minister stressed that progress must be made without losing sight of safety and without it being a "fast track to people drowning." She added that a complete deregulation would be out of the question, for the sake of safety and water quality.
Demir referred to the situation in the Netherlands, where swimming is allowed at one's own risk everywhere, noting that the country registered many more people drowning per million inhabitants than in Flanders.
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Poor water quality and construction in and around some open water areas in Flanders also prevent complete deregulation. "Diving from bridges or locks can be dangerous and there may be concrete structures underwater that can cause injuries," the Minister said. "Therefore, we want to maintain the risk assessment requirement whilst removing unnecessary rules."
The draft decree will now go to advisory councils and the Council of State.
