Due to increasing hard landscaping, it is more difficult for rainwater to seep into the soil. This leads more and more often to droughts or floods, also in Flanders and Brussels. Governments and water managers are therefore imposing even stricter requirements on the development of new building projects. By optimizing stormwater management, developers can not only meet these requirements, but also contribute to a more sustainable and resilient living environment. But how exactly does that work?
Differences between Flanders and Brussels
In both Flanders and Brussels, guidelines and regulations have been established to optimize water management. In Flanders these focus on strict standards, while in Brussels the emphasis is mainly on the (modeled) outcome of the building project. Both regions want to promote infiltration, collection and reuse of rainwater according to the Ladder of Lansink.
As you can see in the figure, there are regional differences that matter to developers when planning and implementing projects. Why is it that an additional step on the ladder occurs in Brussels? And where exactly does that difference come from?
- In Flanders, a system has been developed for separate collection of waste and stormwater. This means that rainwater should be infiltrated as much as possible on one's own plot to replenish groundwater. This reduces floods and droughts.
- In Brussels, however, the construction of separate sewer systems is less common due to the complexity of the existing network and limited space. Therefore, the focus here is mainly on disconnecting rainwater and discharging it to surface water instead of the sewer system.
