Setting up, operation and inspection of private storm water basins
Since 1 September 2019, an order of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region dated 23 May 2019 establishes a framework for the operation and maintenance of private storm water basins.
What is a “storm water basin”?
A storm water basin is defined by the legislation as “[…] an underground or surface engineering structure equipped with artificial walls intended to temporarily store all or part of the volume of rainwater, to subsequently return it at a controlled flow rate.”
Only storm water basins with a rainwater retention capacity equal to or greater than 10 m³ are affected by the above order.
The following are not covered by this regulation:
- most “alternative” rainwater management systems (generally open and planted as recommended by the “blue network” initiative of Brussels Environment)
- infrastructures storing urban waste water
- tanks strictly designed to recover and reuse rainwater
Commissioning and/or inspection must be carried out by:
- VIVAQUA if the storm water basin outlet is connected to the drainage network
- Brussels Environment if the storm water basin is connected to a non-navigable watercourse or a regional pond
Mandatory inspection every five years
In the Brussels Region, an inspection is now mandatory every five years to check the proper functioning of the storm water basin and its equipment (flow regulator, warning system, pump, sealing, etc.). This inspection is paid for by the owner.
VIVAQUA ensures that private storm water basins connected to the drainage network comply with the conditions laid down by the order. In the event of a breach, VIVAQUA immediately notifies the competent authority.
Mandatory declaration
Any existing storm water basin had to be declared to the municipality or to Brussels Environment no later than 1 March 2020. If you have not yet made this declaration, please remedy this as quickly as possible.
How do you arrange an inspection of your storm water basin?
Before making an appointment for our technical team to inspect your storm water basin, you must complete this form.
You will then receive a confirmation email followed by an invoice. After receiving your payment, one of our employees will contact you to arrange an appointment.
Commissioning of a new storm water basin
All new structures must undergo a commissioning inspection. VIVAQUA carries out this inspection for storm water basins connected to the public drainage network. It is carried out as part of the network connection request and at the operator’s expense.
VIVAQUA ensures that the private storm water basin complies with the conditions laid down by the legislation and with the technical requirements.
The storm water basin operator must:
- comply with the town planning rules in force at the time of the submission of the request (chapter II and III of the above-mentioned order)
- declare the structure to the municipality or include it in an environmental permit application
- perform an inspection prior to commissioning and comply with operating conditions.
For the commissioning of the storm water basin, you can
More info?
You can also call one of our technical departments
Call 02/518 80 57 for a storm water basin located in:
- Anderlecht
- Berchem-Sainte-Agathe
- Forest
- Ganshoren
- Jette
- Koekelberg
- Molenbeek-Saint-Jean
- Saint-Gilles
- Uccle
Call 02/739 52 43 for a storm water basin located in:
- Auderghem
- Brussels
- Etterbeek
- Evere
- Ixelles
- Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode
- Schaerbeek
- Watermael-Boitsfort
- Woluwe-Saint-Lambert
- Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
Useful link (page only in French and Dutch): Brussels-environment