Frequently asked questions

A distinction is made between groundwater and surface water, depending on its origin. 

Groundwater is water from precipitation that has seeped into the ground. It is collected in different ways: 

from springs; 

• via draining galleries; 
• by drilling a well down to the water table; 
• by pumping from old mines where water has accumulated. 
• Surface water is drawn from rivers, canals, streams, lakes and reservoirs. 

You will find the exact source of the water you consume on the fourth page of your adjustment bill.  

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Where does your water come from?

Treatment plants

Tap water must meet a large number of quality parameters. These are set by the standards of the Walloon Water Code. The water from our network is analysed daily to ensure that it complies with the standards.

The composition of the water varies depending on when and where it is collected. Your tap water may be the product of a mixture of water from different sources. Its composition may also depend on the flow rate of each catchment. Regardless of these variations, the drinking water in our network always meets the legal standards. 

See the water quality for my address

Water quality must meet the legal standards applicable to drinking water. This quality is strictly controlled, but a problem cannot be ruled out completely. 

If in doubt, contact us. We will always look into your query carefully.If necessary, we will send a technician on site for further investigation. They may take water samples. The laboratory analysis will determine any corrective measures to be taken to bring the situation into compliance. 

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In your municipality

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The water supplied by SWDE is perfectly drinkable. However, the taste of the water can vary depending on the region and the treatment it has undergone. It is not necessary to filter the water to improve its quality. However, if you do not like the taste of your tap water, you can, of course, use these systems. 

You can consult the Blue Book published by Belgaqua to find out all about drinking water and wastewater treatment.  

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The water in your municipality

Regardless of its source (underground or surface), water drawn or harvested from the natural environment must undergo treatment. It is therefore not recommended to drink it in its raw state. 

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Where does your water come from?  

Treatment plants

Hot water refers to water from a boiler or from a combined central heating hot water tank. This water is no longer classed as drinking water, even if it is cooled afterwards, because the warming causes many changes: 

• some bacteria take advantage of the favourable temperature to multiply, especially in parts of the circuit where the water is warm rather than really hot; 
• hot water accelerates corrosion, dissolves certain substances in the pipes more easily and can therefore contain significantly more copper, iron, nickel, zinc or lead than cold water. 

So always use the cold water tap for drinking, cooking and even making hot drinks. If you have a mixer tap in your kitchen, make sure it is in the "cold water" position and let some water run out before you use it. 

More information:  

The benefits of tap water