Clear division of water regulation tasks and billing oversight
Official title: Voorstel van decreet van Robrecht Bothuyne, Andries Gryffroy, Kris Verduyckt, Hans Vanhoof, Mieke Claes, Hans Bonte en Stijn De Roo tot wijziging van het decreet van 19 april 2024 over de operationalisering van een Vlaamse Nutsregulator en het decreet van 18 juli 2003 betreffende het integraal waterbeleid, gecoördineerd op 15 juni 2018, wat betreft de taken inzake water
Status: Parliament has approved this proposal. (parliament: ‘published in the Belgian Official Gazette’)
In plain language
- Starting 1 January 2026, the Flemish Utilities Regulator (VNR) will supervise water tariffs and billing, while the Flemish Environment Agency (VMM) remains responsible for water quality and environmental policy.
- Water suppliers, sewerage operators, and public agencies will see clearly defined roles, with the regulator empowered to issue fines if companies violate the rules.
- For you, this ensures stricter oversight of correct water bills and guaranteed access to your own water consumption data.
Automatically summarised (gemini-3.8-flash). AI can make mistakes: if in doubt, read the official text.
From proposal to law
- Submitted 9 December 2025
- Approved by parliament 18 December 2025
- Given royal assent by the government 19 December 2025
- Published in the Belgian Official Journal 30 December 2025 · Read the official text ↗
- In force 1 January 2026
How parliament voted
Passed on 18 December 202562 for · 1 against · 49 abstention(s)
A parliamentary group is the group of members of parliament from one party. For each group, you can see how many members voted for or against, or abstained.
- For
- Against
- Abstain
- Dot: party colour
-
N-VA Voted for
30 for · 0 against · 0 abstentions
-
Vlaams Belang Abstained
0 for · 0 against · 26 abstentions
-
cd&v Voted for
16 for · 0 against · 0 abstentions
-
Vooruit Voted for
16 for · 0 against · 0 abstentions
-
Anders. Abstained
0 for · 0 against · 8 abstentions
-
PVDA Abstained
0 for · 0 against · 8 abstentions
-
Groen Abstained
0 for · 0 against · 7 abstentions
-
Onafhankelijke Voted against
0 for · 1 against · 0 abstentions