Water Meter 2014 Drinking water production and distribution in figures FLANDERS ENVIRONMENT AGENCY. en.vmm.be

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1 Water Meter 2014 Drinking water production and distribution in figures FLANDERS ENVIRONMENT AGENCY en.vmm.be

2 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Title Water Meter 2014 Compiler Flemish Regulation Unit - WaterRegulator Summary This report provides a statistical overview of drinking water production and distribution in Flanders from source to tap. Reference Flanders Environment Agency (2015), Water Meter Drinking Water Production and Distribution in Figures Publisher Michiel Van Peteghem, VMM Questions concerning this report Flanders Environment Agency Dokter De Moorstraat Aalst Tel: info@vmm.be Photography VMM archive, Shutterstock.com Depot number D/2015/6871/ Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

3 WATERMETER 2014 IN A NUTSHELL 100 % public shareholders 10 3 water companies million subscribers 348 1% million m³ invoiced water in 2013 less invoiced water consumption in 2013 (vs 2012) m³ annual consumption for an average family liter drinking water per person per day 100 % quality guaranteed per m³ (incl 6% VAT) per m³ for drinking water per m³ waste water treatment thousand km pipe line water towers million m³ storage capacity million turnover from water sale million worth of investments 3

4 INDEX Introduction...6 Characteristics Of The Drinking Water Supply In Flanders...7 Organisation Of The Drinking Water Supply In Flanders...7 Legal Form Of Water Companies... 8 Alliances Between Water Companies...10 ISWa...10 Synductis...10 Coordinating Structures...10 Belgaqua...10 AquaFlanders...10 Other Activities...11 Regulatory Framework For The Drinking Water Supply...11 Local Authorities...11 Provincial Authorities...11 Regional Government (Flemish Region)...12 Federal Government (Belgium)...12 European Government...12 Distribution Areas And Infrastructure Of Water Companies...13 Evolution Of The Number Of Water Companies...13 Specifications Of Distribution Areas...14 Infrastructure Of Drinking Water Supply...15 Efforts For Sustainable Water Use...16 Drinking Water Balance: From Source To Tap Drinking Water Chain From Source To Tap Water Production...18 Water Balance Sheet...22 Water Distribution And Water Sale...24 Drinking Water Quality...34 Quality In The Distribution Network...35 Quality At The Tap...35 Conclusion...35 The Price Of Mains Water Integral Water Invoice Evolution Of Integral Water Invoice Of An Average Family...38 Evolution Of The Integral Water Invoice Of Different Family Types...41 Relativity Of The Evolution Of The Integral Water Invoice...42 Share In Total Of A Family...43 Share In The Disposable Income Of Different Income Groups...44 Tariffs And Price For Production And Distribution Of Mains Water (Drinking Water Component)...48 Pricing Structures For Families...48 Tariffs And Price For Production And Distribution Of Mains Water For Households...50 Price Comparison Of The Drinking Water Component In Surrounding Regions...56 Pricing Structures For Businesses...58 Tarifs And Price For The Production And Distribution Of Mains Water For Companies Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

5 Financial Statements Of The Water Sector...64 Global Data About The Water Sector...64 Sectorial Balance Sheet...64 Sectorial Profit-And-Loss Account...65 Sectorial Ratios...66 Evolution Of The Ratios Per Water Company Financial Data About Water Activity...70 Turnover From Water Sale...70 Relative Income Structure Relative Cost Structure Investments In Water Supply Glossary...77 APPENDICES Appendix 1: list of figures Appendix 2: List of tables...80 Appendix 3: Contact details of all water companies...81 Appendix 4: Overview of muncipalities distributed per water company with the share of the population supplied...83 Appendix 5: Overview of average annual mains water consumption per family type, per province and per water company...89 Appendix 6: Distribution Of Families Across The Distribution Areas Based On Household Size...92 Appendix 7: Overview Of Tariffs In Force On 01/01/

6 INTRODUCTION This report provides a statistical overview of the drinking water sector in Flanders, from source to tap. With this report the WaterRegulator (the Flemish water regulator) aims to paint a clear picture of the drinking water sector in Flanders, by means of figures and statistics, in order to contribute to better transparency. The purpose of this document is to provide the reader with clear information about the production and the distribution of drinking water in Flanders. Each year the WaterRegulator aims to further refine and complete the provided information, without wanting to be complete for all aspects of the water chain. For example, only a limited amount of information about drinking water quality and waste water treatment is included in this document. On this, more detailed information can be found in other VMM (Flemish Environment Agency) reports which are specifically devoted to these subjects. They can be consulted at Unless stated otherwise, the information in this report relates to the situation that was current on 1 January The calculations in the tables were made using the most detailed figures available. In order to make the document more readable, the numbers are given a maximum of two decimal places. As a result, some rounding errors may occur. A glossary is included at the end of this document. 6 - Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

7 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY IN FLANDERS ORGANISATION OF THE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY IN FLANDERS The drinking water supply in Flanders is a municipal responsibility. In order to provide a better service, many municipalities have formed different alliances for the production and the distribution of mains water. Since every municipality (and therefore every alliance) has many different options for organising its drinking water supply, a vast diversity has come about in the management of the public water distribution network, investment planning and service provision. The level of input of the participating municipalities in the alliances also varies strongly. On 1 January 2014 the public water distribution network is managed by 10 operators 1 (hereinafter also referred to as water companies). Flanders counts 308 municipalities. In 26 of them two water companies are active in the same municipality. A list with contact details of all operators is to be found in Appendix 3 of this report. Appendix 4 contains an overview of the municipalities distributed per water company. Figure 1. Distribution areas of water companies Situation in 2014 Legend AGSO Knokke-Heist Brabant Water (NL) De Watergroep FARYS/TMVW IWM (De Watergroep) IWVA IWVB Pidpa VIVAQUA Water-link Source: AquaFlanders, VMM Water Bank 1 As of 1 January 2015, the activities carried out by IWM will be taken over by De Watergroep. Hence, commencing 1 January 2015, Flanders will count 9 operators. AWW pushed through a name change in 2014 and became Water-link. 7

8 LEGAL FORM OF WATER COMPANIES In Flanders mains water is mostly supplied by intermunicipal alliances, intermunicipal companies and one autonomous Flemish public utility company. Additionally, there is still one municipal water company and one foreign water company active in The water sector is entirely in public hands on 1 January Table 1. Legal form of water companies (2014) Intermunicipal alliance Intermunicipal company Autonomous Flemish public utility company Municipal water company AGSO Knokke-Heist Public limited company under Dutch law Brabant Water (NL) IWM End 09/11/2019 IWVA End 05/2019 IWVB End 24/02/2018 Pidpa End 09/11/2019 Water-link End 31/12/2025 Source: VMM Water Bank FARYS/TMVW End 22/12/2041 VIVAQUA End 01/01/2041 De Watergroep Intermunicipal alliances The legal foundations of the intermunicipal alliances were laid in accordance with the Decree concerning Intermunicipal Cooperation. More precisely, intermunicipal alliances are mandated associations: alliances with conferral of management. For that reason the participating municipalities must entrust the implementation of one or more clearly defined competences concerning one or more coherent functional policy areas to the alliance. In such an alliance only municipalities can be active, together with provinces, autonomous municipal companies, public social welfare centres and their associations, stipulated that they consist exclusively of legal persons in public law. Other alliances, set up according to the provisions of the Decree concerning Intermunicipal Cooperation, may also be involved. Mandated associations are under administrative supervision. More specifically, establishments and statute amendments are submitted to approbation supervision by the Flemish government (with delegation to the Flemish minister for internal affairs). The associations have the obligation to forward a concise overview of the resolutions reached to the supervisory authority. 8 - Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

9 Intermunicipal companies The legal foundations of the intermunicipal companies were laid in accordance with the Law of 22 December 1986 concerning intermunicipal companies. The provisions of the decree mentioned in the previous paragraph do not apply to these organisations. Indeed, it is explicitly stipulated that the decree only applies to intermunicipal alliances which entire jurisdiction falls within the borders of the Flemish Region. This is not the case for TMVW and VIVAQUA. However, at the end of 2013, the Flemish government approved a proposal for a cooperation agreement with other regions concerning supervision of interregional intermunicipal companies. Thus, based on this agreement, TMVW and VIVAQUA will be submitted to Flemish administrative supervision and Brussels administrative supervision respectively. FARYS is a cooperative company with limited liability which was established on 26 June 2014 and which acts as the operator of TMVW. Besides TMVW, both the Algemeen Ziekenhuis Jan Palfijn Gent (General Hospital Jan Palfijn Ghent) and the private limited liability company Solar Invest are also shareholders of FARYS. Autonomous Flemish public utility company The legal foundations of De Watergroep an autonomous Flemish public utility company and the largest active water company in Flanders were laid in accordance with its Establishment Decree: the Decree of 28 June 1983 concerning the Establishment of VMW. VMW s commercial name was changed into De Watergroep on 1 January Municipal water companies (GW) On 1 January 2014, there is only one municipal water company that is still active: the water company of Knokke-Heist. Note that it has been part of the Autonomous Municipal Company for City Development of Knokke-Heist (hereinafter referred to as AGSO Knokke-Heist) since Public limited company under Dutch law In the Flemish municipality of Baarle-Hertog, the Dutch water company Brabant Water supplies mains water to a part of the Flemish population. Brabant Water is a public limited company, evidently operating under Dutch law. 9

10 ALLIANCES BETWEEN WATER COMPANIES ISWA ISWa, or the Intermunicipal Cooperation Committee for Water Companies, was established in It was set up by IWVA and the Vereniging Limburgse Waterbedrijven (Association of Water Companies of Limburg), which consists of IWM, GW Tongeren, GW Heusden-Zolder and GW Leopoldsburg. Later on, other municipal water companies (GW) and city water companies (SW) also joined the alliance (e.g. SW Ieper, SW Oudenaarde, GW Knokke-Heist, etc.). ISWa provides a platform for consultation and directs concrete cooperation between the members in certain areas. On 1 January 2014, IWM and AGSO Knokke-Heist are the only ISWa members who are still active as operators. On 1 January 2015 IWM will be included in De Watergroep, and ISWa will put its activities to a stop. SYNDUCTIS Synductis is an alliance between FARYS/TMVW, IWVB and IWVA and Eandis (Flemish operator for the distribution of electricity and natural gas) established in The Proximus/Belgacom Group (Belgium s largest telecom company) acts as an observing partner in this cooperation. The main goal of Synductis is to better plan utility work and to better coordinate the execution of it. COORDINATING STRUCTURES BELGAQUA Belgaqua is the Belgian Federation of the Water Sector. This professional association groups together all three regional associations of the water sector in Belgium. It consists of AQUABRU, AQUAWAL and AquaFlanders, respectively active in the Brussels Capital Region, Walloon Region and Flemish Region. Belgaqua defends the common interests of its members on a federal, European and international level. The federation stimulates the conduction of studies and provides information to both users and professionals about the use of mains water and the protection of water quality. Belgaqua also inspects the apparatus connected to the public water distribution network and the materials that come into contact with the drinking water AQUAFLANDERS AquaFlanders is the umbrella organisation that unites all the Flemish water companies. By employing a more goal-oriented cooperation approach, the organisation aims to improve transparency, increase efficiency and obtain more uniformity in both the customer approach and the working methods employed. Furthermore, AquaFlanders wants to contribute to a more effective implementation of the water policy by acting as a representative of its members at various forums Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

11 OTHER ACTIVITIES Besides the service provision related to drinking water production and distribution via the public water distribution network, the water companies also provide other services. For example, a number of water companies, whether or not legally separated from the water entity, offer specific services for industrial companies (e.g. supply of customised water, water audits, optimisation of internal water flows, reuse of waste water within the production process, etc.). Since 2005, all water companies are legally obligated to treat the water they distribute. Consequently, they do not only produce and distribute drinking water, they must also ensure that the waste water of their customers is purified so that the quality of the drinking water remains guaranteed (waste water treatment activity). In addition, a number of companies also conduct activities that are non-water related (other activities). For instance, the water company of Knokke-Heist is part of AGSO Knokke-Heist, which also conducts real estate transactions, executes city development projects and implements the policy on land and premises that especially focuses on the construction of affordable housing. FARYS/TMVW presents itself as a partner of its municipal associates, by, among other things, managing swimming and sports facilities and offering framework agreements for the purchase, maintenance, operation and management of services (e.g. repair service etc.) and goods (e.g. stationery, road salt, telecoms, etc.). REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY LOCAL AUTHORITIES The drinking water supply in Flanders is a municipal responsibility. In practice, this responsibility is generally carried out by intermunicipal alliances. The municipal associates run these alliances through their representatives in the dedicated governing bodies (Management Board, General Meeting, specific committees, etc.). PROVINCIAL AUTHORITIES The Flemish provinces do not have any competences concerning drinking water. However, some do participate in intermunicipal alliances responsible for the mains water production and distribution (e.g. Provincial Authority of Antwerp is an associate of Pidpa aka the Provincial and Intermunicipal Drinking Water Company of the Province of Antwerp). 11

12 REGIONAL GOVERNMENT (FLEMISH REGION) Guaranteeing quantity and quality of drinking water In application of the Groundwater Decree, protection zones have been indicated around groundwater collection sites for the benefit of drinking water production. Within these protection zones, activities that could pollute the groundwater are banned or restricted. The Supervisory Official (organised within VMM) develops and supervises the Drinking Water Decree and the ensuing Acts and public service obligations. This form of supervision mainly concerns the quality of the water supplied, as well as the application of the General Water Sale Regulations. Guaranteeing transparency and efficiency of water companies The Flemish water regulator, known as the WaterRegulator (organised within VMM) focusses on increasing transparency regarding drinking water production and distribution in Flanders. The WaterRegulator also compares the performance and efficiency of the Flemish water companies in order to ensure that drinking water is supplied at a fair price. In addition, the WaterRegulator also conducts studies. Based on the results the regulator advises the Flemish government through the Flemish minister for environment. Administrative supervision Administrative supervision of intermunicipal alliances takes place under direction of the Flemish minister for internal affairs. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT (BELGIUM) On 1 July 2014, in the framework of the sixth state reform, the competence for tariff regulation of drinking water was transferred from federal level (Belgium) to regional level (Flanders). EUROPEAN GOVERNMENT The Drinking Water Directive imposes standards on drinking water quality. The European Water Framework Directive (WFD), among other things, establishes the principles relating to the cost allocation for water services, including production and distribution. For the greater part, these principles have already been converted to Flemish regulation Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

13 DISTRIBUTION AREAS AND INFRASTRUCTURE OF WATER COMPANIES EVOLUTION OF THE NUMBER OF WATER COMPANIES The number of water companies is on the downgrade while the larger companies keep on growing. In real terms, this means that both the municipal and city water companies are disappearing and that their activities are being taken over by the larger companies. In 1998 a total number of 14 water companies, both municipal and city water companies, were active in Flanders. By 2010 their number had fallen to 4. On 1 January 2014 only one municipal water company is still active (in Knokke-Heist). As of 1 January 2015 the activities carried out by IWM will be taken over by The Watergroep. Hence, commencing 1 January 2015, Flanders will count 9 operators. Figure 2. Evolution of the number of water companies ( ) Total number of water companies Number of muncipal water companies Source: VMM Water Bank 13

14 SPECIFICATIONS OF DISTRIBUTION AREAS In Table 2 some statistical data about the specifications of the distribution areas of the different water companies is admitted. Table 2. Statistics about distribution areas absolute values 2 (2014) Water company Area (km 2 ) Number of residents (x 1,000) (2014) Population density (number of residents/km 2 ) Number of companies NOT in agriculture, forestry en fishery (2014) Number of companies in agriculture, forestry en fishery (2014)) AGSO Knokke-Heist , Brabant Water (NL) De Watergroep 7,504 2, ,121 18,561 FARYS/TMVW 2,271 1, ,297 5,748 IWM , IWVA , IWVB , Pidpa 2,586 1, ,654 4,898 VIVAQUA ,450 2, Water-link ,219 43, Total 13,522 6, ,276 31,270 Source: FPS Economy, CORVE, VMM Water Bank, inquiry with municipalities In Table 3, the specifications of the distribution areas are compared with each other. The distribution areas of the three largest companies (De Watergroep, Pidpa and FARYS/TMVW) gathered together extend over an area that covers more than 90% of the Flemish territory. Together, these three water companies are responsible for the drinking water supply for more than 80% of the Flemish population. Table 3. Statistics about distribution areas - relative values (2014) Water company Share SURFACE (km 2 ) Share of residents (x 1,000) (2014) Rank of population density (residents/km 2 ) Share of companies NOT in agriculture, forestry and fishery (2014) Share of companies in agriculture, forestry and fishery (2014)) AGSO Knokke-Heist 0.4% 8 0.5% % 8 0.5% 8 Brabant Water (NL) 0.02% % % % 9 De Watergroep 55.5% % % % 1 FARYS/TMVW 16.8% % % % 2 IWM 1.9% 7 1.6% % 6 2.0% 5 IWVA 2.3% 4 1.0% % 7 2.0% 4 IWVB 1.9% 6 3.8% % 5 1.1% 6 Pidpa 19.1% % % % 3 VIVAQUA 0.2% 9 0.6% % 9 0.1% 10 Water-link 2.1% 5 9.6% % 4 0.8% 7 Total 100% 100% 100% 100% Source: FPS Economy, CORVE, VMM Water Bank, inquiry with municipalities 2 The number of companies is the sum of the number of natural persons liable to VAT and the number of legal persons liable to VAT in terms of a commercial enterprise (e.g. public limited company, private limited liability company etc.) Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

15 INFRASTRUCTURE OF DRINKING WATER SUPPLY Table 4 provides an overview of the infrastructure for the production and distribution of mains water per water company. Evidently, due to the different nature of the distribution areas, also the infrastructure of water companies differs. For example, whilst their distribution areas are similar in size, there is a big difference between the infrastructure of Pidpa and the infrastructure of FARYS/TMVW. Pidpa has sufficient groundwater sources in its disposal within its own distribution area. The company is therefore able to produce drinking water in a decentralised way by means of 12 water production centres. By contrast, FARYS/TMVW mainly purchases its water from external suppliers in order to meet the demand of its area. The company merely has 2 small water production centres at its disposal. Water-link and De Watergroep are the only water companies that use surface water sources for the production of drinking water. IWVB is the sole water company that does not have any sources at its disposal in its distribution area. All the water delivered by IWVB to subscribers is purchased from other water companies. The available water storage capacity of water storage facilities and water towers in Flanders is 984 million m 3. This is a bit more (104%) than the calculated daily amount of distributed water 3 (944 million m 3 / per day). Table 4. Infrastructure for the production and distribution of mains water (2014) Water company Number of groundwater sources Number of surface water sources Number of water production centres Total number of clear water storage facilities Number of water towers Number of water pressure boosting stations Network length (km) Available drinking water storage capacity (x 1,000 m 3 ) Brabant Water (NL) FARYS/TMVW , De Watergroep , ISWa leden , IWVA , IWVB ,643 0 Pidpa , VIVAQUA Water-link , Total , Source: VMM Water Bank 3 Daily amount of water distributed in 2013: million m 3 / 365 days = million m 3 per day. 15

16 EFFORTS FOR SUSTAINABLE WATER USE Since mid-2011, water companies are obliged to apply the provisions of the General Water Sale Regulations. For example, by means of actions and campaigns, water companies must raise awareness about sustainable water use and promote it to their customers. In doing so, they must pay particular attention to vulnerable groups. In 2013, many actions were realised. Some of them are mentioned below. First and foremost, to a greater or lesser extent, all companies pay attention to sustainable water use on their website. Many of them also have different publications concerning the subject. De Watergroep even raises awareness through articles on rational water use in its customer magazine Waterwereld ( Water World ). During Summer, the company even spreads information specifically devoted to sustainable water use through mail-outs to all its associates. Besides that, two water companies established their own education centre: the visitor centre of IWVA in Koksijde and the interactive Water-DO-Centre Hidrodoe of Pidpa in Herentals. In both centres, the theme sustainable water use is emphasized. In addition, in order to promote sustainable water use during many events all over Flanders, De Watergroep and FARYS/TMVW set up water bars providing participants with free tap water. FARYS/TMVW also organises projects specifically for the underprivileged. On sector level, AquaFlanders cooperates with non-profit organisation GoodPlanet Belgium for the establishment of the campaign Kranig Water 4. The campaign is devised to encourage pupils of primary and secondary schools to drink tap water and to use water in a sustainable way. They are also taught that by reducing packaging waste, they reduce CO2 emissions. Schools cannot only participate in the campaign, they can also take part in the related competition, in which different schools compete for the title of Kranigste School 5. 4 Kranig Water is a pun: kranig literally means brave, but also refers to kraan, which is the Dutch word for tap. 5 This is again a pun: kranigste means bravest and also refers to kraan, the Dutch word for tap Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

17 DRINKING WATER BALANCE: FROM SOURCE TO TAP DRINKING WATER CHAIN FROM SOURCE TO TAP The drinking water chain consists of two consecutive main processes: the production and the distribution/ supply of drinking water. An abridged schematic representation is shown in Figure 3. Figure 3. Drinking water chain from source to tap Source: VMM 17

18 WATER PRODUCTION In 2013, the water companies in Flanders produced more than 400 million m 3 of drinking water. 80% of the drinking water produced for Flanders is also being produced in Flanders. The remaining 20% is being produced outside Flemish territory and is nearly all (18%) being purchased by Flemish water companies. FARYS/TMVW is the only Flemish water company that collects and produces water outside of Flanders (Wallonia). More specifically, they collect and produce 9 million m 3 or 2% of the drinking water produced for Flanders, in Wallonia. By the end of 2011, De Watergroep handed over its water collection sites located in Wallonia to the Walloon water company SWDE. Therefore, as of 2012, a little over 6% of the drinking water produced for Flanders is being produced by SWDE and consequently purchased from SWDE by De Watergroep. VIVAQUA, a water company from Brussels, produces 12% of the drinking water produced for Flanders. The major part is sold to other Flemish water companies. The minor part is distributed in Flanders by the company itself. VIVAQUA collects and produces nearly all its water in Wallonia. In Flanders, more specifically in Zaventem, the company only has one small water collection site and one water production facility, where they produce around 188,000 m 3 water a year. Less than 1% of the Flemish drinking water originates from The Netherlands and France. At their turn, the Flemish water companies also sell drinking water to water companies in Wallonia and The Netherlands (about 8 million m 3 per year). In Flanders, a little more drinking water is produced from surface water rather than groundwater. The drinking water purchased outside of Flanders is mainly produced from groundwater. More information about water quantities can be found in the VMM report Leidingwaterbalans voor Vlaanderen ( Mains Water Balance for Flanders 2013 ). Legend with Figure 4 Flanders (79.7%) Walloon Region (19.6%) - (11% via Brussels) Brussels Region (VIVAQUA - offspring/production water = Walloon Region) Foreign countries (0.7%) m 3 drinking water produced in Flanders from surface water (174 mio m 3 ) produced in Flanders from ground water (161 mio m 3 ) produced outside Flanders from ground water (9 mio m 3 ) purchased in the Walloon Region - ground water (27 mio m 3 ) purchased in the Brussels Region (VIVAQUA) - ground water (29 mio m 3 ) purchased in the Brussels Region (VIVAQUA) - surface water (17 mio m 3 ) purchased in The Netherlands (2 mio m 3 ) purchased in France (1 mio m 3 ) Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

19 Figure 4. Water production for Flanders in million m 3 (2013) 0.5% 0.2% 6.9% 4.1% % % 27 9 m³ % % Source: VMM Water Bank 19

20 Water-link is the largest producer of drinking water for Flanders, followed by De Watergroep, Pidpa and VIVAQUA. VIVAQUA plays a double part: on the one hand it is the operator of a public distribution network for subscribers in four municipalities (Kraainem, Linkebeek, Steenokkerzeel and Wezembeel-Oppem) and on the other hand it is the supplier of water to other water companies (mainly FARYS/TMVW and IWVB). Table 5 shows that VIVAQUA produces 12% of the water produced for Flanders while it only supplies 1% of it directly to subscribers. Table 5. Overview of the production share for Flanders vs the supply to subscribers in Flanders per water company (2013) Water company Producers (water supplier) Rank Supplies to subscribers (operator) Rank Brabant Water (NL) 0% 8 0% 9 De Watergroep 31% 2 35% 1 FARYS/TMVW 3% 5 16% 4 ISWa leden 2% 6 2% 6 IWVA 1% 7 1% 7 IWVB 0% 9 3% 5 Pidpa 16% 3 17% 3 VIVAQUA 12% 4 1% 8 Water-link 35% 1 25% 2 Flanders 100% 100% Source: VMM Water Bank 20 - Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

21 Figure 5 paints a picture of the share of domestic production from ground and surface water and the share of purchased water in The figure clearly shows that Water-link produces nearly all its water from surface water. Brabant Water and Pidpa produce nearly all their water from groundwater, while FARYS/TMVW largely depends on purchased water. IWVB entirely depends on the purchase of water. Figure 5. Water sources per water company (2013) 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Brabant Water De Watergroep FARYS/TMVW ISWa leden IWVA IWVB Pidpa VIVAQUA * (NL) * Water-link Produced drinking water from surface water Produced drinking water from ground water Purchased drinking water * For Brabant Water and VIVAQUA the origin of the water meant for distribution in Flanders is presented Source: VMM Water Bank 21

22 WATER BALANCE SHEET In Figure 6 an overall water balance sheet including all the operators active in Flanders is drawn up for the year Concerning VIVAQUA only figures about the amount of water collected and produced for Flanders are admitted in the balance sheet. Figures of Brabant Water are omitted. This balance sheet includes figures of the water collection per type of raw water source, the amount of water collected and the amounts of drinking water produced and distributed, for the entire Flemish water sector. Figure 6. Water balance sheet for the sector in million m 3 (2013) Collected ground water Total collected water Collected surface water Sale 'raw water' and 'other water' 4.8 Intercompany purchase (WC active in Flanders) External purchase (WC NOT active in Flanders) 30.0 Produced drinking water Calculated input distribution network Production loss 9.2 Intercompany sale (WC active in Flanders) External sale (WC NOT active in Flanders) 8.2 Unregistered drinking water 67.4 Supplied drinking water* SECTOR Million m³ * based on estimated sales 2013 WC: water company Source: VMM Water Bank 22 - Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

23 In Figure 7, an individual water balance for each water company is drawn up for the year The balance sheet of VIVAQUA (a water company located in Brussels) shows the amount of water collected and produced for Flanders only. Figure 7. Water balance sheet per water company in million m 3 (2013) Collected Collected ground water surface water 90.4 Total 40.2 collected water Sale 'raw water' and 'other water' 3.4 Collected Collected ground water surface water 10.1 Total 0.1 collected water 10.2 Sale 'raw water' and 'other water' 0.1 Collected Collected ground water surface water 6.9 Total 0.0 collected water 6.9 Sale 'raw water' and 'other water' 0.0 Intercompany purchase (WC active in Flanders) 14.5 External purchase (WC NOT active in Flanders) 27.2 Produced drinking water Calculated input distribution network Production loss 4.7 Intercompany sale (WC active in Flanders) 4.9 External sale (WC NOT active in Flanders) 3.8 Unregistered drinking water 34.0 Intercompany purchase (WC active in Flanders) 71.8 External purchase (WC NOT active in Flanders) 2.0 Produced drinking water 10.1 Calculated input distribution network 70.5 Production loss 0.0 Intercompany sale (WC active in Flanders) 12.2 External sale (WC NOT active in Flanders) 1.2 Unregistered drinking water 13.8 Intercompany purchase (WC active in Flanders) 2.7 External purchase (WC NOT active in Flanders) 0.0 Produced drinking water 6.8 Calculated input distribution network 9.5 Production loss 0.1 Intercompany sale (WC active in Flanders) 0.0 External sale (WC NOT active in Flanders) 0.0 Unregistered drinking water 2.0 De Watergroep Supplied drinking water* Million m³ * based on estimated sales 2013 WC: water company FARYS/TMVW Supplied drinking water* 56.7 Million m³ * based on estimated sales 2013 WC: water company ISWa Supplied drinking water* 7.5 Million m³ * based on estimated sales 2013 WC: water company Collected Collected ground water surface water Intercompany purchase (WC active in Flanders) Total External purchase (WC NOT active in Flanders) 0.8 collected water 3.6 Produced drinking water 3.6 Calculated input distribution network 4.5 Sale 'raw water' and 'other water' Production loss Intercompany sale (WC active in Flanders) External sale (WC NOT active in Flanders) 0.0 Unregistered drinking water 0.5 Collected Collected ground water surface water Intercompany purchase (WC active in Flanders) 0.0 Total External purchase (WC NOT active in Flanders) 0.0 collected water 0.0 Produced drinking water 0.0 Calculated input distribution network 13.3 Sale 'raw water' and 'other water' Production loss Intercompany sale (WC active in Flanders) External sale (WC NOT active in Flanders) 0.0 Unregistered drinking water 2.8 Collected Collected ground water surface water Intercompany purchase (WC active in Flanders) 63.9 Total External purchase (WC NOT active in Flanders) 0.0 collected water 63.9 Produced drinking water 62.5 Calculated input distribution network 64.3 Sale 'raw water' and 'other water' Production loss Intercompany sale (WC active in Flanders) External sale (WC NOT active in Flanders) 0.0 Unregistered drinking water 6.6 IWVA Supplied drinking water* 4.0 Million m³ * based on estimated sales 2013 WC: water company IWVB Supplied drinking water* 10.5 Million m³ * based on estimated sales 2013 WC: water company Pidpa Supplied drinking water* 57.7 Million m³ * based on estimated sales 2013 WC: water company Collected Collected ground water surface water Total collected water 46.3 Sale 'raw water' and 'other water' 0.0 Collected Collected ground water surface water 0.0 Total collected water Sale 'raw water' and 'other water' 1.3 Intercompany purchase (WC active in Flanders) 0.0 External purchase (WC NOT active in Flanders) 0.0 Produced drinking water 46.3 Calculated input distribution network 2.2 Production loss 0.0 Intercompany sale (WC active in Flanders) 44.1 External sale (WC NOT active in Flanders) 0.0 Unregistered drinking water 0.3 Intercompany purchase (WC active in Flanders) 1.0 External purchase (WC NOT active in Flanders) 0.0 Produced drinking water Calculated input distribution network 92.2 Production loss 2.9 Intercompany sale (WC active in Flanders) 44.2 External sale (WC NOT active in Flanders) 3.1 Unregistered drinking water 7.3 VIVAQUA Supplied drinking water* 1.9 Million m³ * based on estimated sales 2013 WC: water company Water-link Supplied drinking water* 84.9 Million m³ * based on estimated sales 2013 WC: water company Source: VMM Water Bank 23

24 WATER DISTRIBUTION AND WATER SALE Density of the network In Table 6 a few key figures about the water supply per water company are admitted. The connection density of a public water distribution network is closely linked to the urban or more rural character of a distribution area. A higher population density and a higher degree of urbanisation leads to a higher connection density. In 2013, an average of 5,600 litres of water is invoiced per meter pipeline in Flanders. Water-link has the most concentrated network with 73 subscribers (i.e. active water meters) per km pipeline. With 40 subscribers per km, De Watergroep has the lowest connection density. Water-link bills more than 37,000 litres of water per meter pipeline. That is almost ten times more than De Watergroep and IWVA: on average, they invoice only 4,000 litres of water per meter pipeline. The difference between the density per connection and the density per subscriber indicates a significant presence of apartment blocks in the distribution area. This difference is strikingly higher in the IWVA area (coastal area) and also, but to a lesser extent, in the IWVB and Water-link areas (mainly urban environments). Table 6. Key figures of water distribution and sale (2013) Water company Number of subscribers (x 1,000) Network lenght (km) Branches (number/km) Subscribers (active water meters) (number/km) Invoiced consumption 2013 (million m 3 ) Invoiced consumption 2013 (m 3 / km) Brabant Water (NL) De Watergroep FARYS/TMVW ISWa leden IWVA IWVB Pidpa VIVAQUA Water-link Total Source: VMM Water Bank, VMM Water Book 24 - Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

25 Evolution of invoiced mains water consumption Figure 8 shows the evolution of the water consumption invoiced by water companies in Flanders between 2003 and The trend is falling. Over 10 years time, the invoiced mains water consumption decreased by 6%. Compared to 2012 the invoiced consumption decreased by 1%. Figure 8. Evolution of invoiced mains water consumption ( ) million m³ Invoiced water consumption Trendline Source: VMM Water Book 25

26 Customer profiles For the distribution of mains water to the three target groups 7 defined in the WFD or European Water Framework Directive (households, industry, and agriculture) there are hardly any separate networks. Therefore the quality of the water distributed through the public water distribution network is usually irrespective of the target group to which the user belongs, and always meets the standards. Still, based on the final use of the supplied mains water i.e. whether the water is used for domestic activities (families), industrial activities (in the context of professional activities, excluding agriculture) or agricultural activities the subscribers can be assigned to one of the target groups mentioned above. By crossing parameters from different databases, the majority of subscribers (86%) can be assigned to one of these target groups with a relatively high degree of certainty. Subscribers that cannot be assigned are referred to as remaining group in Figure 9. Even though the number of residents in Flanders increased by 4% between January 2009 and January 2014, the mains water consumption of the families has remained relatively stable (around 190 million m 3 per year). This means that the consumption per resident is decreasing. In 2013, the invoiced water consumption of the industry is just under 135 million m 3. The decrease of the total invoiced water consumption can mainly be attributed to the decrease of the water consumption of the industry. Figure 9. Evolution of the invoiced water consumption of different target groups ( ) million m³ Households Industry Agriculture Remaining group Total Source: VMM Levy Database, VMM Water Bank, VMM Water Book 7 The definitions of the target groups are to be found in the glossary at the end of this report Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

27 Almost 80% of the subscribers are households and they account for more than half (56%) of the invoiced mains water in The industry represents a mere 7% of the total number of subscribers but accounts for 38% of the total water consumption. The agricultural sector is a very small group for it represents only 1% of the subscribers, and uses around 2% of the mains water supplied. Figure 10. Distribution of subscribers and invoiced water consumption over the target groups (2013) 1% 13% 14% Subscribers 2% 5% 5% 6% 7% 38% 40% 53% 56% 81% 78% Households Industry Agriculture Remaining group Source: VMM Levy Database, VMM Water Bank, VMM Water Book 27

28 profiles In Table 7 the invoiced water consumption of subscribers that could be assigned to a target group (households, industry, agriculture) is more thoroughly analysed. First, based on the invoice period and the invoiced water consumption in 2013, the annual mains water consumption is calculated for each subscriber. Then, all subscribers and their respective invoiced water consumption are assigned to the corresponding annual consumption blocks. It comes to show that more than 75% of all subscribers have an invoiced water consumption that is less than 100 m 3 per year. Undeniably, the households make up the largest part of that 75%. They are practically fully responsible for the water consumption below 100 m 3 per subscriber. Taking a more detailed look at this group reveals that the majority (25%) has an annual mains water consumption between 50 and 100 m 3. Another 16% uses between 25 m 3 and 50 m 3 water per year. About 12% has a water invoice for less than 15 m 3 per year, of which 6% concerns no water consumption or negative water consumption 8. Taking a deeper look into the industry group specifically, it can be concluded that, compared to all annual consumption blocks, there is significantly more water consumption in the blocks between 1,000 m 3 and 6,000 m 3. However, it is even more striking that the actual high industrial consumption is mainly to be found in the blocks above 100,000 m 3. Besides that, it seems that a very limited number of subscribers (0.004%), accounts for almost 21% of the total mains water consumption. Table 7. Conversion of invoiced mains water consumption into annual-consumption blocks (2013) Annual consumption blocks (van - tot m 3 ) number of subscribers (% ) 28 - Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS INDUSTRY AGRICULTURE ammount m 3 of consumption (%) % of TOTAL number of subscribers % of TOTAL ammount m 3 of consumption % of TOTAL number of subscribers % of TOTAL ammount m 3 of consumption % of TOTAL number of subscribers % of TOTAL ammount m 3 of consumption No or negative consumption 12.92% -0.59% 6.32% -0.28% 2.13% -0.15% 0.12% -0.02% from 0 m 3 to 5 m % 0.10% 1.63% 0.04% 0.71% 0.02% 0.02% 0.00% from 6 m 3 to 10 m % 0.24% 1.90% 0.14% 0.35% 0.02% 0.01% 0.00% from 11 m 3 to 15 m % 0.40% 2.31% 0.27% 0.27% 0.03% 0.01% 0.00% from 16 m 3 to 25 m % 1.35% 5.64% 1.05% 0.40% 0.07% 0.02% 0.00% from 26 m 3 to 50 m % 6.31% 15.88% 5.46% 0.60% 0.20% 0.04% 0.01% from 51 m 3 to 100 m % 18.34% 25.32% 16.75% 0.61% 0.40% 0.07% 0.05% from 101 m 3 to 150 m % 13.82% 11.49% 12.63% 0.34% 0.38% 0.05% 0.06% from 151 m 3 to 200 m % 7.37% 4.19% 6.50% 0.22% 0.35% 0.04% 0.06% from 201 m 3 to 250 m % 3.79% 1.56% 3.13% 0.16% 0.32% 0.02% 0.05% from 251 m 3 to 350 m % 3.78% 1.06% 2.79% 0.20% 0.55% 0.03% 0.09% from 351 m 3 to 500 m % 2.88% 0.48% 1.79% 0.18% 0.68% 0.03% 0.11% from 501 m 3 to 1,000 m % 4.31% 0.34% 2.05% 0.26% 1.65% 0.04% 0.27% from 1,001 m 3 to 2,000 m % 3.44% 0.09% 1.10% 0.15% 1.87% 0.03% 0.33% from 2,001 m 3 to 6,000 m % 4.65% 0.04% 1.10% 0.10% 3.05% 0.02% 0.42% from 6,001 m 3 to 10,000 m % 2.07% 0.01% 0.50% 0.02% 1.48% 0.00% 0.08% from 10,001 m 3 to 20,000 m % 2.42% 0.00% 0.45% 0.02% 1.89% 0.00% 0.05% from 20,001 m 3 to 60,000 m % 3.23% 0.00% 0.24% 0.01% 2.87% 0.00% 0.12% from 60,001 m 3 to 100,000 m % 1.33% % 1.30% - - from 100,001 m 3 to 1,000,000 m % 7.03% % 6.98% - - > 1,000,001 m % 13.72% % 13.72% - - Total 100% 100% 78% 56% 7% 38% 1% 2% Source: VMM Levy Database, VMM Water Bank, VMM Water Book 8 Negative consumption can be caused by an overestimation of the consumption in previous periods. Consequently, as soon as payment is effected after an actual water meter reading this will lead to credit notes and thus negative consumption.

29 Figure 11. Relation between customer profiles and consumption profiles (2013) Flanders % 99.93% 100% 90 90% 90% 80 80% 77% 70 70% 70% 60 60% 58% 50 50% 40 40% 41% 30 30% 20 26% 20% 10 10% 0% 0 no or negative consumption Block 1 (0m 3-5m 3 ) Block 2 (6m 3-10m 3 ) Block 3 (11m 3-15m 3 ) Block 4 (16m 3-25m 3 ) Block 5 (26m 3-50m 3 ) Block 6 (51m 3-100m 3 ) Block 7 (101m 3-150m 3 ) Block 8 (151m 3-200m 3 ) Block 9 (201m 3-250m 3 ) Block 11 (351m 3-500m 3 ) Block 10 (251m 3-350m 3 ) Invoiced consumption Number of subscribers Source: VMM Water Bank Block 12 (501m 3-1,000m 3 ) Block 13 (1,001m 3-2,000m 3 ) Block 14 (2,001m 3-6,000m 3 ) Block 15 (6,001m 3-10,000m 3 ) Block 16 (10,001m 3-20,000m 3 ) Block 17 (20,001m 3-60,000m 3 ) Block 18 (60,001m 3-100,000m 3 ) Block 19 (100,001m 3-1,000,000m 3 ) Block 20 (> 1,000,000m 3 ) The graph drawn up in Figure 11 shows the relation between the total number of subscribers and the total invoiced water consumption in Flanders. In Figure 12 the same kind of graphs are drawn up, this time per water company. It is remarkable that 77% of all subscribers uses less than 100 m 3 of water per year, whilst this group represents only 26% of the total invoiced water consumption. Contrary to that, a very small group of 0.07% is responsible for 30% of the total invoiced water consumption. At AGSO Knokke-Heist, FARYS/TMVW, De Watergroep West-Flanders and IWVA the share of less than 100 m 3 users is even higher than 80%, and at IWVA this goes up to 88% of the subscribers. The large number of secondary residences in the coastal area undeniably plays a part in this. Water-link is quite an outsider compared to the other water companies. In the Water-link area, only 58% of the subscribers has a water consumption that is lower than 100 m 3. Only at Brabant Water (a Dutch water company active in one Flemish municipality) this percentage is lower (56%). The over 6,000 m 3 consumption is clearly concentrated at Water-link, which invoices 67% of the mains water consumption in its distribution area to 0.24% of its subscribers. Likewise, De Watergroep West-Vlaanderen has an important number of major consumers among its subscribers and invoices 30% of the consumption in its distribution area to 0.06% of its subscribers. 29

30 Figure 12. Relation customer profiles vs consumption profiles per water company (2013) AGSO Knokke-Heist % 99.95% 100% 90 88% 90% 93% 80 80% 80% 70 70% 67% 60 60% 50 50% 40 40% 39% 30 30% 27% 20 20% 10 10% 0% 0 no or negative consumption Block 1 (0m 3-5m 3 ) Block 2 (6m 3-10m 3 ) Block 3 (11m 3-15m 3 ) Block 4 (16m 3-25m 3 ) Block 5 (26m 3-50m 3 ) Block 6 (51m 3-100m 3 ) Block 7 (101m 3-150m 3 ) Block 8 (151m 3-200m 3 ) Block 9 (201m 3-250m 3 ) Block 11 (351m 3-500m 3 ) Block 10 (251m 3-350m 3 ) Invoiced consumption Number of subscribers Block 12 (501m 3-1,000m 3 ) Block 13 (1,001m 3-2,000m 3 ) Block 14 (2,001m 3-6,000m 3 ) Block 15 (6,001m 3-10,000m 3 ) Block 16 (10,001m 3-20,000m 3 ) Block 17 (20,001m 3-60,000m 3 ) Block 18 (60,001m 3-100,000m 3 ) Block 19 (100,001m 3-1,000,000m 3 ) Block 20 (> 1,000,000m 3 ) Brabant Water % 98% 99.91% 90 90% 95% 80 80% 70 70% 75% 78% 60 60% 56% 50 50% 40 40% 40% 30 30% 20 20% 21% 10 10% 0% 0 no or negative consumption Block 1 (0m 3-5m 3 ) Block 2 (6m 3-10m 3 ) Block 3 (11m 3-15m 3 ) Block 4 (16m 3-25m 3 ) Block 5 (26m 3-50m 3 ) Block 6 (51m 3-100m 3 ) Block 7 (101m 3-150m 3 ) Block 8 (151m 3-200m 3 ) Block 9 (201m 3-250m 3 ) Block 11 (351m 3-500m 3 ) Block 10 (251m 3-350m 3 ) Invoiced consumption Number of subscribers Block 12 (501m 3-1,000m 3 ) Block 13 (1,001m 3-2,000m 3 ) Block 14 (2,001m 3-6,000m 3 ) Block 15 (6,001m 3-10,000m 3 ) Block 16 (10,001m 3-20,000m 3 ) Block 17 (20,001m 3-60,000m 3 ) Block 18 (60,001m 3-100,000m 3 ) Block 19 (100,001m 3-1,000,000m 3 ) Block 20 (> 1,000,000m 3 ) De Watergroep Limburg % 90 90% 90% 80 80% 70 70% 75% 78% 60 60% 50 50% 56% 40 40% 30 30% 36% 20 20% 10 10% 0% 0 no or negative consumption Block 1 (0m 3-5m 3 ) Block 2 (6m 3-10m 3 ) Block 3 (11m 3-15m 3 ) Block 4 (16m 3-25m 3 ) Block 5 (26m 3-50m 3 ) Block 6 (51m 3-100m 3 ) Block 7 (101m 3-150m 3 ) Block 8 (151m 3-200m 3 ) Block 9 (201m 3-250m 3 ) Block 10 (251m 3-350m 3 ) Invoiced consumption Number of subscribers 99% 99.95% Block 11 (351m 3-500m 3 ) Block 12 (501m 3-1,000m 3 ) Block 13 (1,001m 3-2,000m 3 ) 89% Block 14 (2,001m 3-6,000m 3 ) Block 15 (6,001m 3-10,000m 3 ) Block 16 (10,001m 3-20,000m 3 ) Block 17 (20,001m 3-60,000m 3 ) Block 18 (60,001m 3-100,000m 3 ) Block 19 (100,001m 3-1,000,000m 3 ) Block 20 (> 1,000,000m 3 ) De Watergroep Oost-Vlaanderen % 99.97% 100% 92% 90 90% 80 79% 86% 80% 70 76% 70% 60 60% 57% 50 50% 40 40% 38% 30 30% 20 20% 10 10% 0% 0 no or negative consumption Block 1 (0m 3-5m 3 ) Block 2 (6m 3-10m 3 ) Block 3 (11m 3-15m 3 ) Block 4 (16m 3-25m 3 ) Block 5 (26m 3-50m 3 ) Block 6 (51m 3-100m 3 ) Block 7 (101m 3-150m 3 ) Block 8 (151m 3-200m 3 ) Block 9 (201m 3-250m 3 ) Block 11 (351m 3-500m 3 ) Block 10 (251m 3-350m 3 ) Invoiced consumption Number of subscribers Block 12 (501m 3-1,000m 3 ) Block 13 (1,001m 3-2,000m 3 ) Block 14 (2,001m 3-6,000m 3 ) Block 15 (6,001m 3-10,000m 3 ) Block 16 (10,001m 3-20,000m 3 ) Block 17 (20,001m 3-60,000m 3 ) Block 18 (60,001m 3-100,000m 3 ) Block 19 (100,001m 3-1,000,000m 3 ) Block 20 (> 1,000,000m 3 ) De Watergroep Vlaams-Brabant % 90 91% 90% 80 80% 76% 70 76% 70% 60 60% 50 56% 50% 40 40% 30 36% 30% 20 20% 10 10% 0% 0 no or negative consumption Block 1 (0m 3-5m 3 ) Block 2 (6m 3-10m 3 ) Block 3 (11m 3-15m 3 ) Block 4 (16m 3-25m 3 ) Block 5 (26m 3-50m 3 ) Block 6 (51m 3-100m 3 ) Block 7 (101m 3-150m 3 ) Block 8 (151m 3-200m 3 ) Block 9 (201m 3-250m 3 ) Block 10 (251m 3-350m 3 ) Invoiced consumption Number of subscribers Source: VMM Water Bank 99% 99.95% Block 11 (351m 3-500m 3 ) Block 12 (501m 3-1,000m 3 ) Block 13 (1,001m 3-2,000m 3 ) 89% Block 14 (2,001m 3-6,000m 3 ) Block 15 (6,001m 3-10,000m 3 ) Block 16 (10,001m 3-20,000m 3 ) Block 17 (20,001m 3-60,000m 3 ) Block 18 (60,001m 3-100,000m 3 ) Block 19 (100,001m 3-1,000,000m 3 ) Block 20 (> 1,000,000m 3 ) De Watergroep West-Vlaanderen % 99.94% 100% 94% 90 90% 86% 80 80% 70 70% 70% 60 60% 58% 50 50% 40 45% 40% 30 30% 33% 20 20% 10 10% 0% 0 no or negative consumption Block 1 (0m 3-5m 3 ) Block 2 (6m 3-10m 3 ) Block 3 (11m 3-15m 3 ) Block 4 (16m 3-25m 3 ) Block 5 (26m 3-50m 3 ) Block 6 (51m 3-100m 3 ) Block 7 (101m 3-150m 3 ) Block 8 (151m 3-200m 3 ) Block 9 (201m 3-250m 3 ) Block 10 (251m 3-350m 3 ) Block 11 (351m 3-500m 3 ) Invoiced consumption Number of subscribers Block 12 (501m 3-1,000m 3 ) Block 13 (1,001m 3-2,000m 3 ) Block 14 (2,001m 3-6,000m 3 ) Block 15 (6,001m 3-10,000m 3 ) Block 16 (10,001m 3-20,000m 3 ) Block 17 (20,001m 3-60,000m 3 ) Block 18 (60,001m 3-100,000m 3 ) Block 19 (100,001m 3-1,000,000m 3 ) Block 20 (> 1,000,000m 3 ) 30 - Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

31 FARYS/TMVW % 99% 99.94% 92% 90 90% 80 80% 82% 82% 70 70% 60 60% 67% 50 50% 49% 40 40% 30 30% 34% 20 20% 10 10% 0% 0 no or negative consumption Block 1 (0m 3-5m 3 ) Block 2 (6m 3-10m 3 ) Block 3 (11m 3-15m 3 ) Block 4 (16m 3-25m 3 ) Block 5 (26m 3-50m 3 ) Block 6 (51m 3-100m 3 ) Block 7 (101m 3-150m 3 ) Block 8 (151m 3-200m 3 ) Block 9 (201m 3-250m 3 ) Block 11 (351m 3-500m 3 ) Block 10 (251m 3-350m 3 ) Invoiced consumption Number of subscribers Block 12 (501m 3-1,000m 3 ) Block 13 (1,001m 3-2,000m 3 ) Block 14 (2,001m 3-6,000m 3 ) Block 15 (6,001m 3-10,000m 3 ) Block 16 (10,001m 3-20,000m 3 ) Block 17 (20,001m 3-60,000m 3 ) Block 18 (60,001m 3-100,000m 3 ) Block 19 (100,001m 3-1,000,000m 3 ) Block 20 (> 1,000,000m 3 ) IWVA % 90 90% 80 80% 70 70% 60 60% 50 50% 40 40% 30 30% 20 20% 10 10% 0% 0 no or negative consumption Block 1 (0m 3-5m 3 ) Block 2 (6m 3-10m 3 ) Block 3 (11m 3-15m 3 ) Block 4 (16m 3-25m 3 ) Block 5 (26m 3-50m 3 ) Invoiced consumption 94% 88% Block 6 (51m 3-100m 3 ) 42% 33% Block 7 (101m 3-150m 3 ) Block 8 (151m 3-200m 3 ) Block 9 (201m 3-250m 3 ) Block 11 (351m 3-500m 3 ) Block 10 (251m 3-350m 3 ) Number of subscribers 98% 99.94% 56% Block 12 (501m 3-1,000m 3 ) Block 13 (1,001m 3-2,000m 3 ) Block 14 (2,001m 3-6,000m 3 ) 83% Block 15 (6,001m 3-10,000m 3 ) Block 16 (10,001m 3-20,000m 3 ) Block 17 (20,001m 3-60,000m 3 ) Block 18 (60,001m 3-100,000m 3 ) Block 20 (> 1,000,000m 3 ) Block 19 (100,001m 3-1,000,000m 3 ) IWVB % 98% 99.92% 90 90% 87% 90% 80 80% 70 72% 75% 70% 60 60% 50 50% 50% 40 40% 30 30% 31% 20 20% 10 10% 0% 0 no or negative consumption Block 1 (0m 3-5m 3 ) Block 2 (6m 3-10m 3 ) Block 3 (11m 3-15m 3 ) Block 4 (16m 3-25m 3 ) Block 5 (26m 3-50m 3 ) Block 6 (51m 3-100m 3 ) Block 7 (101m 3-150m 3 ) Block 8 (151m 3-200m 3 ) Block 9 (201m 3-250m 3 ) Block 11 (351m 3-500m 3 ) Block 10 (251m 3-350m 3 ) Invoiced consumption Number of subscribers Block 12 (501m 3-1,000m 3 ) Block 13 (1,001m 3-2,000m 3 ) Block 14 (2,001m 3-6,000m 3 ) Block 15 (6,001m 3-10,000m 3 ) Block 16 (10,001m 3-20,000m 3 ) Block 17 (20,001m 3-60,000m 3 ) Block 18 (60,001m 3-100,000m 3 ) Block 19 (100,001m 3-1,000,000m 3 ) Block 20 (> 1,000,000m 3 ) Pidpa % 99% 99.94% 90 90% 88% 80 80% 84% 70 70% 72% 73% 60 60% 50 50% 50% 40 40% 30 30% 31% 20 20% 10 10% 0% 0 no or negative consumption Block 1 (0m 3-5m 3 ) Block 2 (6m 3-10m 3 ) Block 3 (11m 3-15m 3 ) Block 4 (16m 3-25m 3 ) Block 5 (26m 3-50m 3 ) Block 6 (51m 3-100m 3 ) Block 7 (101m 3-150m 3 ) Block 8 (151m 3-200m 3 ) Block 9 (201m 3-250m 3 ) Block 11 (351m 3-500m 3 ) Block 10 (251m 3-350m 3 ) Invoiced consumption Number of subscribers Block 12 (501m 3-1,000m 3 ) Block 13 (1,001m 3-2,000m 3 ) Block 14 (2,001m 3-6,000m 3 ) Block 15 (6,001m 3-10,000m 3 ) Block 16 (10,001m 3-20,000m 3 ) Block 17 (20,001m 3-60,000m 3 ) Block 18 (60,001m 3-100,000m 3 ) Block 19 (100,001m 3-1,000,000m 3 ) Block 20 (> 1,000,000m 3 ) VIVAQUA % 98% 99.91% 90 90% 84% 80 80% 84% 70 70% 60 60% 65% 67% 50 50% 40 40% 43% 30 30% 20 20% 24% 10 10% 0% 0 no or negative consumption Block 1 (0m 3-5m 3 ) Block 2 (6m 3-10m 3 ) Block 3 (11m 3-15m 3 ) Block 4 (16m 3-25m 3 ) Block 5 (26m 3-50m 3 ) Block 6 (51m 3-100m 3 ) Block 7 (101m 3-150m 3 ) Block 8 (151m 3-200m 3 ) Block 9 (201m 3-250m 3 ) Block 11 (351m 3-500m 3 ) Block 10 (251m 3-350m 3 ) Invoiced consumption Number of subscribers Block 12 (501m 3-1,000m 3 ) Block 13 (1,001m 3-2,000m 3 ) Block 14 (2,001m 3-6,000m 3 ) Block 15 (6,001m 3-10,000m 3 ) Block 16 (10,001m 3-20,000m 3 ) Block 17 (20,001m 3-60,000m 3 ) Block 18 (60,001m 3-100,000m 3 ) Block 19 (100,001m 3-1,000,000m 3 ) Block 20 (> 1,000,000m 3 ) Water-link % 100% 96% 90 90% 80 80% 75% 70 70% 60 60% 58% 50 50% 40 40% 30 30% 33% 20 20% 22% 10 10% 10% 0% 0 6% no or negative consumption Block 1 (0m 3-5m 3 ) Block 2 (6m 3-10m 3 ) Block 3 (11m 3-15m 3 ) Block 4 (16m 3-25m 3 ) Block 5 (26m 3-50m 3 ) Block 6 (51m 3-100m 3 ) Block 7 (101m 3-150m 3 ) Block 8 (151m 3-200m 3 ) Block 9 (201m 3-250m 3 ) Block 11 (351m 3-500m 3 ) Block 10 (251m 3-350m 3 ) Invoiced consumption Number of subscribers Block 12 (501m 3-1,000m 3 ) Block 13 (1,001m 3-2,000m 3 ) Block 14 (2,001m 3-6,000m 3 ) Block 15 (6,001m 3-10,000m 3 ) Block 16 (10,001m 3-20,000m 3 ) Block 17 (20,001m 3-60,000m 3 ) Block 18 (60,001m 3-100,000m 3 ) Block 19 (100,001m 3-1,000,000m 3 ) Block 20 (> 1,000,000m 3 ) 31

32 Calculated average consumption of different family types The calculation of the typical annual mains water consumption of families is based on the 2013 final invoices of water companies to subscribers with domiciled residents with an invoice period of 10 to 14 months. However, note that the number of residing family members does not necessarily corresponds with the number of domiciled residents. Think of reconstituted families for example. A calculated average family in Flanders consist of 2.33 persons in This average family has a calculated mains water consumption of 84 m 3 per year or 99 litres per person per day. This theoretical average family the family type used for the price calculations in this report. Appendix 5 includes a more detailed overview of the calculated average consumption per family situation in different provinces and per water company. Table 8. Average annual mains water consumption per family situation (2013) Number of domiciled residents Average annual mains water consumption per family type (m 3 ) Average annual mains water consumption per domiciled resident (m 3 ) Average daily mains water consumption per domiciled resident (litre) Average family Source: VMM Water Bank, VMM Water Book 32 - Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

33 In Flanders, reduction in family size has been going on for years. The number of persons in an average family has decreased by 3% over 10 years time (from 2.40 persons per family to 2.33 persons per family). However, the number of families did increase by 9% during the same period. In 2014, one- and two-person families account for 65% (31% + 34% respectively) of the total number of families in Flanders. Three- and four-person families make up 15% and 14% respectively. Families consisting of five persons and more represent only 5% and 1% 9 respectively. In Appendix 6 an overview of the distribution of different family types over the different water companies is included. Evidently, these trends are reflected in the evolution of the number of subscribers. One- and two-person families represent almost half of all subscribers (20% + 28% respectively) The three-, four- and five-person families gathered together make up nearly 30% (13% + 12% + 4%). Large families with six or more domiciled residents account for less than 3% of the number of subscribers. Subscribers without domiciled residents have a share of 21%. The small families also have the sharpest rise in the number subscribers. Over the last five years their total number has increased by 11% (one-person families) and 5% (two-person families) respectively. The share of the one-person families in the invoiced consumption has increased by 4.2%. Note that the number of one-person families increased by 11%. Table 9. Evolution of the number of subscribers ( ) Number of domiciled residents Share in total number of subscribers 2013 Evolution number of subscribers Share in total invoiced consumption 2013 Evolution invoiced consumption (m 3 ) % 11.0% 7.1% 4.2% % 4.9% 15.7% -0.3% % -0.4% 10.5% -4.7% % 2.4% 11.7% -5.0% 5 4.1% 1.5% 5.1% -5.5% % -1.3% 9.5% -30.4% None 21.1% 11.6% 40.3% -5.6% 100% 6.2% 100% -3.5% Source: VMM Water Bank, VMM Water Book 9 FPS Economy ADSEI DAR (note: data as processed by the WaterRegulator) 33

34 DRINKING WATER QUALITY Drinking water is water intended for human consumption and is therefore safe and healthy to drink. The Government Act of 13 December 2002 provides the legal framework to guarantee the quality of drinking water. The government act lays down the minimum quality requirements for drinking water and governs the organisation of minimum checks on the production and distribution of drinking water. The water companies are responsible for conducting these legally obliged checks. Every year they need to draw up a monitoring schedule that has to be approved by VMM. The monitoring of the drinking water quality is organised by delivery area. A delivery area is a geographically defined area in which the supplied water is of a more or less uniform quality and originates from one or a few sources. In Flanders approximately 90 different delivery areas have been demarcated. In Flanders, the mains water must meet the quality requirements at the point in the distribution network where it becomes available to the customer. In other words: at the tap. In practice, sampling is done at the kitchen tap in homes or public buildings. The drinking water company is responsible for the water that flows through the public water distribution network up to the water meter. The proper functioning of the indoor water system is the responsibility of the owner of the building or the house. Figure 13. Quality of the drinking water in the public water distribution network in Flanders (2013) Source: VMM 34 - Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures

35 Figure 13 shows the quality of the supplied water per delivery area. For the health-related parameters, the annual median value of each parameter was determined. This median value was compared with the drinking water standards. In most of the delivery areas that were assessed, more specifically in 88%, the median for all health parameters was below 50% of the standard value. For the chemical parameters of arsenic, benzo(a) pyrene, bromate, fluoride, nitrate, nitrite and total trihalomethanes, the signal value of 50 % of the standard value was exceeded in a limited number of delivery areas. QUALITY IN THE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK Besides legally obliged checks at the customer s tap, water companies also carry out additional checks at the water production centre or at important storage facilities. Unlike those at the tap, the results of these operational checks provide a more representative picture of the drinking water quality in a specific delivery area. After all, the customer s indoor water system might influence the result of an analysis considerably. An analysis of the results of the operational check shows that the drinking water distributed in Flanders almost always meets the imposed standards. The total compliance rate exceeds 99%. For the four healthrelevant parameters, E. coli, enterococci, benzo(a)pyrene and nitrite, noncompliance was stated in a limited number of delivery areas. This was always immediately followed up by the water company, thereby avoiding any risks for public health. QUALITY AT THE TAP The checks carried out by the water companies meet or even exceed the minimum requirements. In 2013 a total of 11,072 monitoring checks and 1,088 audits were carried out. The drinking water quality at the tap was good in The total compliance percentage of all parameters - calculated based on both the total number of analyses and the total recorded non-compliance score also exceeds 99%. An analysis of the recorded noncompliance score of the parameters that are relevant for public health shows that lead, nickel, enterococci, nitrite and E. coli have the highest non-compliance scores. The highest non-compliance percentage (0.6%) was recorded for lead. A large number of non-compliance scores for E. coli, enterococci, nickel and nitrite were not re-confirmed during re-sampling. This probably indicates temporary changes in the water quality. The cause for the high score for lead mainly lies with the subscriber and only partly with the water company. More information about lead in drinking water is to be found in the VMM publication Actieplan Loodpreventie in Drinkwater Rapportering over het jaar ( Action Plan Lead Prevention in Drinking Water Report on the year 2013 ). CONCLUSION In summary, based on both the results of the legally obliged annual minimum check at the tap (monitoring schedule) and the results of the additional operational check carried out by the water companies, it can be stated that the quality of drinking water in Flanders meets the imposed quality requirements to a very large extent. More information about the quality of drinking water can be found on the VMM website

36 36 - Water Meter Drinking water production and distribution in figures