FLANDERS – The fifth edition of the Week of Water will commence on Saturday, 22 March, bringing together communities across Flanders to highlight the importance of water conservation and environmental responsibility.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Flemish Environment Agency (VMM) in collaboration with numerous partners, aims to promote awareness through interactive events ranging from guided tours to hands-on clean-up efforts.
With more than 120 activities planned across the region, residents and visitors alike will have opportunities to explore water-related issues in engaging ways.
Although Brussels is not officially participating, select events will still take place in the capital, offering a unique insight into the city’s historical and ecological relationship with water.
Exploring Water in the Heart of Brussels
One of the highlights in Brussels will be the Fountain Walk in the City Centre, organized by Toegico, an association of trained and aspiring tour guides.
Participants will explore the city’s historic fountains, which once served as vital sources of drinking water before household plumbing became widespread in the mid-19th century.
The tour will visit notable sites, including the fountains of the Royal Park, and reflect on how these water features evolved into decorative elements of urban design. The walk will start at Brussels-Central Station at 14:00 on Sunday, 30 March.
For those interested in exploring nature, the Woluwe River Walk offers a guided tour along one of the region’s few relatively unpolluted waterways.
Despite urban development, the river retains its natural flow, primarily fed by rain and spring water. Participants will learn about ongoing conservation efforts aimed at preserving the ecological integrity of the Woluwe.
The walk begins at 10:00 on Saturday, 22 March, from the information stands in Malou Park, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert.
Cycling Through Brussels’ Waterways
Cycling enthusiasts can take part in two guided tours showcasing the interaction between urban infrastructure and natural water sources.
The Woluwe Cycling Tour, set for 13:00 on Saturday, 22 March, will follow the river’s winding path from its source to its underground sections, providing insight into ongoing restoration efforts. Riders will depart from Boitsfort train station and must bring their own bicycles.
A longer cycling journey, the Valley-to-Valley Tour, will take participants on a 21-kilometre ride from Brussels to the Pajottenland region on Wednesday, 26 March.
Riders will cross the Zenne valley and encounter tributaries like the Zuunbeek and Vogelzangbeek, experiencing a mix of natural landscapes and urban corridors. The tour starts at the Lock of Anderlecht at 14:00.
Creative Advocacy for Clean Water
In an effort to combat sewer pollution, volunteers will create chalk drawings around manholes with messages such as “The Sea Starts Here” to discourage littering.
This initiative, running until Sunday, 23 March, in Malou Park, aims to raise awareness about how urban waste impacts water quality.
As climate challenges intensify, the Week of Water serves as a timely reminder of the need for collective action in preserving this essential resource.
The diverse activities on offer provide an opportunity for all ages to engage with water conservation efforts in meaningful and enjoyable ways.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
