The Flemish government approved a draft decree proposing higher wastewater-pollution levies from January 1, 2027.
Why it matters: The proposal would raise costs for companies and households discharging wastewater directly into surface waters and generate an estimated €18 million annually. It still requires Flemish Parliament approval and publication in the Belgian Official Gazette.
- The proposed base rate for companies discharging directly into surface water would rise from €22.64 to €39.77 per pollution unit, an increase of about 76%.
- An advisory document estimates the measure would affect about 1,500 companies and 5,000 households.
- The proposal is expected to generate about €18 million in additional annual revenue, primarily for the MINA environmental fund.
- The Flemish government approved the draft 2027 programme decree on October 28, 2026; the proposed start date is January 1, 2027, subject to parliamentary approval and publication.
The Flemish government approved a draft 2027 programme decree containing a proposed increase in the wastewater-pollution levy for companies and households that discharge directly into rivers, streams and other surface waters, De Tijd reported.
The proposal would affect approximately 1,500 companies and 5,000 households, according to the Strategic Advisory Council for Agriculture and Fisheries. The advisory document estimates about €18 million in additional annual revenue, primarily for the MINA environmental fund.
For companies discharging into surface water, the proposed base rate would increase from €22.64 to €39.77 per pollution unit - approximately 76%. That is the proposed rate per pollution unit, not necessarily the total amount paid by every affected company. The levy is calculated by multiplying the number of pollution units by the applicable rate, according to the Flemish Environment Agency.
The exact proposed wastewater-pollution levy for companies connected to the sewer system is not quantified in the cited materials, so the headline figures do not establish the total increase for every affected company.
The draft programme decree was approved on October 28, 2026. It must still be approved by the Flemish Parliament and published in the Belgian Official Gazette before the proposed January 1, 2027 start date.
By the numbers
- €39.77 - proposed base rate per pollution unit for companies discharging directly into surface water, up from €22.64
- €18 million - estimated additional annual revenue, primarily for the MINA environmental fund
- 1,500 companies and 5,000 households - estimated number of affected direct dischargers
Yes, but: The proposal is not yet in force. Parliamentary approval and publication in the Belgian Official Gazette are still required.
What's next: The draft 2027 programme decree must go before the Flemish Parliament and be published before the proposed January 1, 2027 effective date.