Beselare (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Beselare’s Warande neighbourhood, blue paint from a resident’s home spilt into streams on Wednesday, Nov 5, 2025. Westhoek firefighters and hazardous materials experts confirmed it was non-toxic. Mayor Koen Meersseman managed the response.
As VRT News reported, in Beselare, near Zonnebeke, in the province of West Flanders, Belgium, the water in several streams and ditches turned bright blue on Wednesday, Nov 5, 2025. This appeared in the Warande neighbourhood.
Photos of the blue water spread on social media and caused worry in the community. Local authorities and environmental experts started an immediate investigation to find out where the pollution came from and if it could harm people or nature.
“The pollution in the Vuilewaasstraat stream came from someone who apparently spilt a can of blue paint,”
confirms Mayor Koen Meersseman (# TEAM8980).
“During the cleanup, some of the paint ended up in the sewer.”
What caused the Beselare streams to turn blue on Wednesday?
Firefighters from the Westhoek zone arrived on site, accompanied by a hazardous materials advisor, to assess the water and collect samples. After several hours of work, the team discovered that the blue water came from a home in the Warande area.
It appeared that a blue paint product had inadvertently entered the drainage system and had made its way to the surrounding waterway. The fire department noted that the product was not toxic and would not harm people, animals, or plants.
Officials noted that residents should be assured that the pollution would not be permanent. They indicated that the blue would gradually fade away through the city’s rainfall and treatment system.
