Ypres (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Flemish Minister Jo Brouns raised drinking water limits for 1,2,4-triazole to 1 microgram per litre in Westhoek, sparking criticism from environmental groups like Natuurpunt De Bron and PAN Europe over public health risks and pesticide pollution concerns. Critics argue this decision undermines safety standards and could harm long-term health.
This month, January 2025, Jo Brouns, the Flemish Minister of Agriculture and Environment, made a decision that raised concerns. He changed the drinking water standards in the Westhoek area for two years. He mentioned that this change was necessary because a chemical called 1,2,4-triazole was found in the water at levels higher than the European limit.
Tests showed levels between 0.13 and 0.49 micrograms per litre. To prevent a drinking water shortage, Brouns raised the limit to 1 microgram per litre. He said this change is safe for public health. Research also showed that levels up to 4.5 micrograms per litre would still be safe to drink.
What are the implications of Jo Brouns’ drinking water limit change in Ypres?
The decision to raise the drinking water limit has upset many people. Environmental groups and health advocates are worried about this change. They believe it could harm public health. Critics like Kristine De Schamphelaere from PAN Europe say the new limit is too high and goes against safety rules. They are also concerned about the chemical 1,2,4-triazole and its long-term effects.
Activists say the problem comes from pesticides used in farming, especially in potatoes and vegetables. They want stronger actions to stop pollution instead of just changing the rules. The new policy will last for two years, and it is not clear if the government will make more changes to fix the issue.
The minister’s main argument is that otherwise there could be a shortage of drinking water. There is also no danger to public health,
Jo Brouns says.
Environmental groups like Natuurpunt De Bron and the West Flemish Environmental Federation are against the decision by Minister Jo Brouns to relax drinking water rules in Westhoek. They say the government should solve the real problems causing water pollution, like heavy farming practices. Instead, they believe the government is just changing safety limits.
Both groups plan to challenge this decision in the Council of State because they think it is a bad move. They worry that allowing higher levels of 1,2,4-triazole in drinking water sends the wrong message. They want stricter rules on pesticides instead. Their main concern is the long-term effects on health and the environment from more chemicals in drinking water.
Lieven Stubbe, vice-chairman of Natuurpunt De Bron and a local councillor for Groen in Ypres, has strongly criticized the decision. He calls it “completely absurd” and questions why the government is ignoring a European safety rule. He says the area has had drinking water problems for a long time because of intensive farming.
Instead of reducing pesticide runoff, the authorities chose to change the rules. Stubbe believes this weakens trust in environmental standards and could lead to more relaxed rules in the future. They mentioned that with legal action starting, this case may lead to a bigger discussions about farming, water quality, and balancing money-making with protecting the environment in Flanders.
Natuurpunt De Bron and the West Flemish Environmental Federation have hired a lawyer named Isabelle Larmuseau. She knows a lot about environmental law. They want to challenge Minister Jo Brouns’ decision in the Council of State. Larmuseau has won cases before, including stopping a landfill project in Kortemark.
The groups believe it is wrong for the government to change water quality rules instead of fixing pollution. They want the government to take real action against pesticide problems in Westhoek. They think easy fixes could affect future efforts to protect the environment.
Natuurpunt De Bron and the West Flemish Environmental Federation think their legal challenge is very important. They know the Council of State will not decide for two years. This is when the temporary rule change will end.
The groups want to keep the issue in focus and stop the government from making similar changes again. They believe winning would show that environmental rules matter. They mentioned that their goal is to find long-term solutions for farming and pesticide runoff. They want to keep drinking water safe and meet European standards.
Natuurpunt De Bron and the West Flemish Environmental Federation said:
To ensure that the problems will be effectively addressed and that there will be no new relaxation.
