Swimming possible in some parts of Brussels canal, survey finds

Water quality in the Brussels canal is “surprisingly good” according to the results of what is claimed to be “the largest-ever citizen survey” in Flanders and Brussels, based on thousands of water samples in Belgium's waterways.

“You could swim in some places,” said Lieven Symons, coordinator of Waterland vzw, one of the project leaders.

During the two-week campaign period, more than 5,000 people went to a canal, river or stream to take measurements in the study commissioned by Waterland as well as De Standaard newspaper and KU Leuven university. The project was partnered by Natuurpunt, BBL, Waterleau, Belgium’s National Lottery and Aquafin NV .

In the study, people were urged to test how clean the water was in their neighbourhood in what was called the ‘Water Monsters’ campaign.

“Together with 5,000 citizen researchers, we headed out between 25 April and 4 May to test our waterways for the presence of the E. coli bacteria,” the organisers said.

In Brussels, 72 samples were taken – including five near the Tour & Taxis complex. Four of these samples showed excellent results, meaning water would have been suitable for swimming at these times.

Throughout Flanders and Brussels, the results were mostly positive. Some 43.3% of watercourses were found clean enough to swim in. Larger areas of water in urban environments score particularly well, which shows their potential for swimming.

This news is especially significant, given that Brussels’ sole outdoor swimming option, Flow in Anderlecht, has shut due to lack of funding and also as the project was only supposed to be temporary, pending a more permanent open-air swimming solution, which has since been shelved.

Even the much debated plan of a pool in the Brussels canal near Tour & Taxis has been abandoned. City councillors have called it unrealistic and even irresponsible to embark on such a large project that would cost so much money.

“You don’t need a million-euro project for outdoor swimming,” said Symons, arguing that the canal would be perfect for temporary swimming days, as seen in several Flemish cities last summer.

In ‘Blissful Swimming Days’, some 6,000 people dived into the natural waters of Antwerp, Bruges, Kortrijk and Turnhout. They swam in existing rivers and canals, with only minimal supervision.

The project was successful and is continuing this year. For example, at Antwerp’s Bonapartedok by the MAS museum, there will be free swimming every weekend from 14 June for at least three months.

Unfortunately the study also showed that the water was polluted at 42.3% of the measurement locations. This not only affects swimmers, but also harms biodiversity and undermines the quality of life in hot cities, where polluted rivers cannot be used to cool off.

Moreover, permits for new discharges or business expansion risk being rejected if the water quality is insufficient, with clear economic consequences.

Under the 2006 European Union bathing water directive, Belgium must ensure clean watercourses by 2027. The deadlines for Flanders and Brussels to meet the required standards have already been postponed twice.

With the sample results, Waterland wants to convince policymakers to work on water quality. “We have less than 1,000 days to get it right. Time is running out,” Symons added.

In addition, measurements took place in a dry period. As a result, the emergency outlets of the sewer system that discharge wastewater into rivers during heavy rainfall were not counted. To swim safely, regular measurements are therefore necessary to monitor the water quality, especially after a storm.

In this regard, Brussels, unlike Flanders, does take note of overflows. A report on the discharges is published monthly – and City to Ocean – formerly Canal It up – even publishes live reports when overflows are active.