BRUSSELS – The largest-ever citizen-led survey on water quality in Brussels and Flanders officially launched on Saturday, March 15, with the aim of assessing the presence of harmful bacteria in local waterways.
The initiative, named ‘Water Monsters’ (‘Water Samples’), is spearheaded by Waterland vzw, a think tank and action group dedicated to improving water health, in collaboration with Belgian newspaper De Standaard and researchers from KU Leuven.
Organisers hope to mobilise 5,000 citizen researchers to analyse the state of water quality in canals, rivers, streams, and other water bodies across the region.
The project seeks to provide much-needed data on water pollution levels while raising awareness about the need for cleaner, more accessible waterways.
Mapping Water Pollution
Water quality in Belgium has been under increasing pressure due to pollution from industry, agriculture, and untreated household wastewater.
Many water bodies do not meet European environmental standards, but concrete, large-scale data on contamination levels remains scarce.
Through this initiative, citizen researchers will conduct simple water tests to identify the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, an indicator of pollution from human and animal waste.
The presence of high E. coli concentrations often signals contamination from untreated sewage, as well as other harmful pollutants such as detergents and pharmaceutical residues.
“E. coli is naturally present in the intestinal system, but its presence in waterways suggests significant pollution,” the organisers explained. “By testing and mapping contamination levels, we can better understand the impact of human activity on our water systems.”
Encouraging Public Engagement
Beyond collecting data, the initiative aims to inspire a broader movement for cleaner waterways. Organisers stress that open water should be a shared public resource—safe for swimming, sailing, paddleboarding, and recreation.
“Water is essential to our lives and a healthy natural environment. Yet, we have lost touch with the waterways around us,” the project’s leaders stated. “This initiative empowers citizens to reclaim and protect their local water bodies.”
Participants will receive simple testing kits and guidance on how to collect and analyse water samples. The results will contribute to a large-scale database, helping researchers and policymakers identify pollution hotspots and advocate for stronger environmental protections.
The organisers hope that the findings will pressure authorities to take stronger action against water pollution, ensuring that Belgium’s rivers and streams meet European water quality standards.
The ‘Water Monsters’ project is expected to generate one of the most comprehensive citizen-led water quality reports ever conducted in the region.
As thousands of Belgians take part in this initiative, the campaign highlights both the challenges and the potential for cleaner, healthier waterways in the future.
