The fifth edition of Week of Water will kick off on Saturday 22 March. Through several activities, from searching for aquatic animals to river clean-ups on paddle boards, the event invites people to dive into the discussion of why water is one of our most precious natural resources.
Whether you're drinking it or using it to clean your body, we can't live without water – and neither can the planet. The Flemish Environment Agency (VMM) together with dozens of partners invests in water every day, and these efforts are yielding results.
"Water quality in Flanders is improving and water awareness is growing. But we can still do more," the VMM said. "And that is why every year we join forces to promote even more awareness for water in Flanders." This is done through the Week of Water, which will take place from Saturday 22 to Sunday 30 March this year.
More than 120 activities focusing on water awareness and experience will take place across Flanders. Despite the region not taking part, some activities will take place in Brussels. Discover them here.
Fountain walk in city centre
In the old city centre of Brussels, Toegico – an association of graduated and still studying tour guides and tour leaders – will be offering a guided walk to discover the many fountains and how they were once the city's most popular tourist attractions.
The tour includes stops at the fountains in the Royal Park in Brussels. Credit: Belga
Everything changed in 1855 when it was decided to provide all houses with water. As a result, many fountains disappeared. From the 20th century onwards, water became a leisure activity and fountains also became very decorative. The tour will explore some of the most magnificent water sources.
The tour will depart from the hall of the Brussels-Central Station at 14:00 on Sunday 30 March.
Find more information here.
Exploring the Woluwe
This guided outing follows the Woluwe River from Hof Ter Musschen to the Parc des Sources. Despite the heavy urbanisation, it still flows largely in the open air, past many green areas.
Credit: Life Belini
It is also the only river in the region that largely escapes pollution from wastewater: its physical continuation has been preserved in which mainly "pure" water flows (spring and rainwater). On this guided walk, people can discover the river and find out more about projects that contribute to the revaluation of this exceptional corner of Brussels.
The two-hour walk starts at 10:00 on Saturday 22 March at the information stands in Malou Park in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert.
Find more information here.
Cycling tour along the Woluwe, from source to sewer
Not a fan of walking? Why not explore the Woluwe by bike? This guided cycling tour explores the meandering waterway from its source to mouth. The Woluwe winds its way through Brussels and Flanders, often above ground but in many places also underground.
Follow the difficult but beautiful course of the river in both regions and again, discover the many projects and plans for redevelopment.
The two-hour bike ride starts at Boitsfort train station at 13:00 on Saturday 22 March. Bring your own bicycle.
Find more information here.
Chalk drawings for clean sewers
Many people still consider manholes in Brussels and Flanders to be rubbish bins, to the detriment of the environment. This activity calls on people to get creative for "clean" manholes by drawing original chalk artworks with the message "The sea starts here" ("Hier begint de zee") around them.
Credit: Vzw Coördinatie Zenne
By adding the message "Don't dump anything here", this activity helps other residents realise the sewer system is not a dustbin, and that we all have to take care of it.
Take part in this activity at Malou Park in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert until Sunday 23 March.
Find more information here.
Guided bike tour from valley to valley between Brussels and the Pajottenland
During this guided 21-km bike tour, participants will cross the Zenne (or Senne) valley south of Brussels.
Credit: vzw Coördinatie Zenne/ Sint-Pieters-Leeuw
Discover two tributaries – the Zuunbeek and the Vogelzangbeek – and cycle along the Charleroi-Brussels canal. During the tour, rolling landscapes, meadows, fields, parks, cities, villages and nature reserves will alternate. The perfect occasion to discover the green and blue corridors that connect the city and the countryside in Anderlecht, Sint-Pieters-Leeuw and Beersel.
The bike tour starts at the Lock of Anderlecht (at the intersection of the Rue Arthur Dehem and the Quai de Veeweyde) on Wednesday 26 March from 14:00 to 17:00. Participants must bring their own bicycle.
Find more information here.
