More than eight out of ten Flemish people drink tap water at home, but nearly half do not serve it at the table, according to a recent study by AquaFlanders, the federation of Flemish water companies and sewage managers.
AquaFlanders highlights the environmental benefits and cost-effectiveness of tap water, which is locally available, always accessible, and significantly cheaper than bottled water at an average cost of just 0.7 euro cents per litre.
The organisation assures that tap water is among the most rigorously monitored food products in the country, meeting both European and Flemish standards through continuous monitoring by independent laboratories.
Carl Heyrman, General Director of AquaFlanders, states that while tap water is local, sustainable, inexpensive, and of top quality, nearly half the population hesitates to serve it to guests, indicating that perception can sometimes outweigh facts.
In the province of Limburg, 89% of residents drink tap water at home, the highest rate in Flanders, while in West Flanders, this drops to 75%, with four out of ten inhabitants serving it to guests. Young people aged 18 to 24 are the champions of tap water consumption, with 64% drinking it daily.
