The water bill for an average household in Flanders has risen above €500 for the first time this year, according to a report by the region’s utilities regulator, VNR. A rise in water bills is being discussed during the Flemish government’s budget talks.
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Average household water bills exceed €500 a year for first time
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This is the first time the VNR has published figures on the average water bill. Since the start of the year, the agency has also been acting as a watchdog for the water sector.
The findings show that an average household – 2.3 people, according to the VNR – has seen its water bill rise from €489 in 2025 to €507 this year. For a family of four, the average water bill this year is €716; for a family of five, it is €836. The regulator will soon announce its decision on next year’s tariffs.
To burden families with a higher water bill – which has only recently been increased – is simply unacceptable to me
Water bills have risen significantly over the past few years. In 2020, an average household paid €352, rising to €410 in 2023. Water treatment and sewerage management, in particular, have become more expensive over the past two years.
A 2.3-person household in Flanders consumes around 70 cubic metres of water per year.
It emerged on Friday that the rise in water bills is on the table during the Flemish budget negotiations. This could amount to an extra €40-€60 per year for a household, which could generate €80 million for the region’s budget.
Christian democrats CD&V, the party responsible for water bills through Environment minister Jo Brouns, is not in favour of the plan.
“People are already afraid to go to the petrol station these days; petrol prices are at an all-time high, and the cost of the weekly shop is rising,” he told VRT. “To then burden families with a higher water bill – which has only recently been increased – is simply unacceptable to me.”
He believes savings can be found elsewhere. “We need to look at ourselves, the Flemish government. We can be leaner and more efficient. As for the rest, we must examine all the proposals on the table over the coming days and hours, in a spirit of constructive dialogue.”
The budget must be finalised by Monday, when minister-president Matthias Diependaele of N-VA delivers his September declaration to parliament. The region is seeking between €1.5 and €2 billion to balance the budget.
