Glabbeek (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Bunsbeek water treatment plant in Glabbeek, led by Aquafin and supported by Mayor Peter Reekmans, opened on October 6, 2025, treating wastewater from 3,700 households with full purification in 2 years.
As VRT News reported, the Bunsbeek water treatment plant near Glabbeek, in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, has opened after 2 years of construction. Until now, untreated sewage from the area flowed directly into the Velpe River. The new plant will treat wastewater from about 3,700 households. It uses a system that removes solid waste, purifies water biologically, and treats it chemically.
What is the Bunsbeek plant in Glabbeek doing for 3,700 homes’ wastewater?
According to Thiery Adriansens of Aquafin, the facility includes an odour filter, and the blowers are enclosed by a wall to prevent disturbance to nearby residents. Adriansens said the plant will improve the water quality of the Velpe River and benefit the entire surrounding area.
Mayor Peter Reekmans of Dorpspartij said the project took a little longer than in other municipalities. He explained that the process began with building several collectors, which are pipes that carry wastewater to the treatment plant. Only after these collectors had been built could the plant itself be finished.
2 of the 9 planned collectors, in Zurbede and on Steenweg, still need to be installed. These will be finished in the next 2 years. Once all collectors are in place, the system will ensure that 100% of Glabbeek’s wastewater is purified.
The Bunsbeek water treatment plant in Glabbeek has a history of more than 25 years. The search for a suitable location began in 1998. After years of planning and preparation, construction started 2 years ago, and the plant officially opened on October 6, 2025.
