Abundancy of possibilities

Water is abundantly available to companies all over Flanders. Besides drinking-water, companies can use rainwater, pump up groundwater or use water from rivers or canals. 

Drinking-water

The production and distribution of drinking-water is in the hands of 5 regional water companies (VMW, AWW, PIDPA, TMVW and IWVA), who all have their own distribution territory. The general water price a local company pays, will depend on the area it is located in and the yearly consumption. Prices vary between EUR 0.7 and 1.6 / m3 (incl. VAT). Reductions Bulk discounts for 'heavy users' are available.

Groundwater

To pump up groundwater, the local company concerned needs a water extraction permit. This permit forms part of the environmental permit that the company needs for its activities. Companies that pump up more than 500 m³ of groundwater per year have to pay a levy to the Flemish Environmental Agency (In Dutch: Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij, VMM). This levy is based on the amount of groundwater that was pumped up the previous year.
 
Rainwater

Alternatively, the company in question could use rainwater. No levy is payable for that. As is the case when using groundwater, the company has to pay a levy for its waste water.

Water drawn from rivers or canals

Drawing water from non-navigable waterways is for free and no permit is needed except if a fixed structure is built. In any case, the company must not cause any damage to the environment by drawing water from non-navigable waterways. Companies drawing water from navigable waterways have to make a statement to or need a permit from the competent waterway operator, depending on the amount of water that's drawn.

Waste water

As for waste water, the Flemish Government applies the principle "the polluter pays". Every polluter has to pay a certain levy. How high this levy is will depend on the pollution caused by the company concerned.