Flanders Seeks Water Commissioner to Meet European Quality Standards by 2028

Flemish Minister of Environment Jo Brouns intends to appoint a water commissioner to elevate the region's water quality to stringent European standards by 2028. This move comes amid concerns over harmful substances like triazoles found in drinking water at the De Blankaart production center in Diksmuide.

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The current structure is a large part of the problem, and a water commissioner can bring the right streamlining to it.

The proposed commissioner's role is to serve as a bridge-builder among the diverse entities involved in water management. These include the Flemish government, local authorities, water companies, industrial sectors, and agricultural operations. Professor Bram Verschuere, an expert in public administration at KU Leuven, sees this as a genuine effort to streamline a complex system, stating, "The current structure is a large part of the problem, and a water commissioner can bring the right streamlining to it."

Flanders has a history of appointing commissioners for complex, debated issues, with Professor Verschuere counting over 20 such roles established by the Flemish government in recent years. These often address crisis situations like the COVID-19 pandemic or the nitrogen issue. However, Verschuere notes that the water quality challenge is a "structural necessity" rather than a crisis, especially as Flanders lags behind its European targets.

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Usually, it concerns crisis situations, but with this water policy, we are talking about a structural necessity. Flanders is bound by European goals, but they are still far off. A water commissioner can help to switch faster.

Verschuere further explained that water policy involves multiple players and interests. A commissioner could help coordinate processes, break impasses, and formulate goals that gain broad acceptance. While the minister's cabinet possesses significant expertise, Verschuere believes an external appointee can better consolidate and coordinate this fragmented knowledge. The exact responsibilities and appointment of the commissioner are still to be determined.

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He must better align all processes and can break impasses. Because the commissioner is partly above the complexity, he can formulate goals that everyone can agree on.