19 October 2026 13:20 UTC · European Commission · EU Commission Press Release · Read original source ↗ · Email X Link

European Commission Notes Water Challenges And Signs Belgian Declaration

Key points

The European Commission states that water represents a systemic challenge affecting food, energy, and biodiversity.
European Commission notes that 79 percent of Belgians support additional European Union measures for water problems.

TL;DR

The European Commission and Belgium signed a Joint Declaration on water following a Structured Dialogue.
Commissioner Roswall highlights regional water efforts in Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia.
Water quality statistics in Belgium show only 27 percent of surface water achieves good ecological status.
The Joint Statement outlines five key commitment areas including watercourse restoration and sustainable agriculture.
The European Commission commits to facilitating progress through the Water Resilience Strategy and a new Water Initiative.

Original text

European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Commissioner Roswall's address at an event to mark the outcomes of the Structured Dialogue on Water in Belgium Leuven, 19 October 2026 Minister Bruns and representatives of the regions of Bruxelles and Wallonia. Ladies and gentlemen. I'm delighted to start this week signing the Joint Declaration of the Structured Dialogues on water between Belgium and the European Commission. Thank you to all for engaging so positively and productively in this Structured Dialogue. What we have seen in recent years confirms a simple but stark truth: too much, or too little, water is defining our time. Water can no longer be seen as only a sectoral issue. It is a systemic challenge affecting food, energy, industry, transport, and biodiversity. According to the European Commission's 2024 Eurobarometer, 79% of Belgians support additional EU measures to address water-related problems. As a result of the Structured Dialogue process, we now better understand Belgium's specific challenges and the progress already made. In few minutes it is impossible to mention all the positive aspects of this Joint Statement. But the considerable efforts in the different Regions must be mentioned. they serve as good practice for others: In Flanders, the renewed Blue Deal tackles drought, water scarcity, flooding, and water quality through over 70 actions and integrated management. In Brussels, we welcome efforts to improve rainwater infiltration into the soil and restore the Senne and urban waterways. In Wallonia, the long-standing river contracts unite municipalities, associations, farmers, and citizens around shared river basins. They support pollution reduction and ecosystem restoration. Flood prevention and erosion control have also been strengthened. Nevertheless, many challenges remain. In Belgium, only around 27% of surface water bodies achieve good ecological status or potential. No surface water bodies achieve good chemical status, while only slightly over half of groundwater bodies are in good chemical status. And water scarcity takes its toll on farmers, businesses and our nature. It is indeed time to accelerate action on water for our economy, our livelihoods, and nature. The Joint Statement aims to provide this boost. It includes cross-regional and regional actions that will be decisive for improving water status. From the statement, I want to especially welcome a number of commitments: 1 . You want to Restore watercourses by integrating ecological flows into decision-making, removing barriers, reducing floods through nature-based retention, and creating climate- resilient sponge landscapes. 2 . You will support the transition to sustainable agriculture by reducing nutrient pollution, restricting pesticide use, and increasing organic farming. 3 . You will Reduce risks from chemical pollution through major reviews of discharge permits and further support for PFAS remediation innovation. 4 . You will Build a water-smart economy by improving abstraction controls, setting water- retention targets, adopting water-supply priorities, facilitating reuse, and scaling up digital tools. 5 . And you will Enhance cooperation, governance, and skills by improving cost recovery, applying the polluter-pays principle and mobilise private investment. For my part, the Commission strongly commits to further facilitating progress through the roll- out of actions of the Water Resilience Strategy. Actions like the Investment Accelerator, Water Academy and much more. And President Von der Leyen announced a European Water Initiative in her recent State of the Union address. Our Water Initiative needs to be ambitious. It needs to reflect that water is a matter of Europe's security and competitiveness. Let me finish with a few words on the Sluispark ladder and why this is indeed a perfect place to sign this Joint Statement: We had an insurmountable barrier here: the weir, which blocked 25 fish species. We had determined authorities ready to overcome this obstacle. We had EU support through the LIFE programme BILLINI. Therefore, we now have many fish species able to move upstream, spawn, and rear their young there. But this has not only benefited fish. Citizens of Leuven also have a completely new recreational experience and can reconnect with water. This is what joining forces means. And this is exactly what we are doing here today, opening a new chapter of engagement. Let us continue engaging with determination and a sense of urgency. Thank you! SPEECH/26/2198 <@rel_link@>

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