MR deputies Aurélie Czekalski and Viviane Teitelbaum have called on the Brussels-Capital Region Government to provide financial support to the Brussels water service Vivaqua to ensure water access for all.
According to the source, Vivaqua – responsible for producing and distributing drinking water and managing sewer networks and flood prevention – is drowning in debt, according to a report by De Standaard on Thursday.
The newspaper reported that with a debt of €1 billion, Vivaqua is unable to manage the necessary investments for the renovation of the sewer network.
In this context, the two MR lawmakers in the Brussels Parliament have argued that it was time to simplify the division of investments among water operators, especially with regards to flood prevention, via storm basins. These currently fall under the remit of both Vivaqua and Hydria.
hus limiting its flexibility, the MPs highlighted.
The Francophone liberals are advocating for a strategic division of investment among various water operators in the capital.
The MR deputies also urged the Brussels Government to expedite the analysis of the water sector’s rationalisation.
This would identify roles and responsibilities of each actor, water-related costs, different service financing sources, potential synergies and more. They believe this is essential to provide objective guarantees of the water operators’ needs, aiming to optimise Vivaqua’s financial burdens. This should also establish the level of regional intervention.
