Four West Flanders municipalities transfer sewerage network management to Fluvius
After Mesen earlier this year, four more West Flanders municipalities - Avelgem, Heuvelland, Lo-Reninge and Poperinge - are transferring their sewerage management to network company Fluvius. The municipal councils recently approved joining the commissioning association Fluvius West for the sewerage activity. As a result, Fluvius will be responsible for the daily management, maintenance and administrative monitoring of the municipal sewage networks from 1 January 2026.
Today, Fluvius is already active as sewerage manager in more than 80 Flemish cities and municipalities spread throughout Flanders. Avelgem, Heuvelland, Lo-Reninge and Poperinge are now also opting for a management model that relies on highly organised processes, technical expertise and a solidarity mechanism between the member local authorities.
By pooling management at Fluvius, local authorities can count on specialised support and a clear point of contact for their sewerage dossiers. For residents, little will change: they will continue to count on a reliable and smooth service.
"The growing confidence of municipalities in Fluvius as sewerage manager confirms the appreciation of our expertise and services. As the largest municipal sewerage manager, this strengthens us to continue to invest, together with local authorities, in reliable sewerage networks that connect all customers to a water treatment plant and at the same time arm them against flooding, drought and other consequences of climate change."
Rudy Van Beers, Director of Network Operation Sewerage at Fluvius
"Due to the increasing complexity and increasingly stringent Flemish and European regulations on sewers and the requested reduction targets, the financial and technical possibilities for a municipality like Avelgem are fiercely exceeded. We found in Fluvius a reliable partner who takes over these tasks from us, completely in line with and tailored to our municipality."Lut Deseyn, mayor of Avelgem
Together for clean water and sustainable infrastructure
The accession of these four municipalities is part of a broader movement in West Flanders. Earlier this year, Mesenalso decided to transfer its sewerage management to Fluvius. The number of West Flanders local authorities opting for joint sewerage management at Fluvius thus continues to grow.
In this way, the municipalities want to arm themselves better against challenges such as heavy rainfall, drought and outdated infrastructure. Through Fluvius, investments can be planned more efficiently and projects are shaped within a long-term vision of sustainability and cost efficiency.
In doing so, Fluvius works closely with municipal councils to set priorities and continue or adjust ongoing dossiers where necessary.
"Given the increasing technical and administrative complexity of integrated water policy, with this transfer we are opting for a more robust system integration. The synergy between local field knowledge and Fluvius' technical implementation strength guarantees a qualitative roll-out of our rainwater and drought plans, which is essential for the future of our municipality."Ben Hamerlinck, General Director Heuvelland
"Even for smaller and more rural municipalities, professional management of IBA (Individual Treatment of Waste Water) and sewerage is crucial. Network manager Fluvius, with a branch in Ypres, can guarantee quality and relieve us of worries. Proximity is an extra asset here."Lieve Castryck, mayor of Lo-Reninge
"Sewers, not visible but important for good and sustainable water management! Because of the increasing importance and complexity, we want to 'bring in' more expertise but also achieve more integration. Fluvius is not only well versed in utilities, they are also close to us."Christof Dejaegher, mayor of Poperinge
Media contact
Stijn Faelens