EIB, SPGE Commit to Protecting Water Resources, Biodiversity in Wallonia

The Luxembourg-based European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced that it is providing €4.5 million to Wallonia's public water management company, the SPGE (Société Publique de Gestion de l'Eau), to implemet projects aimed at protecting water resources, biodiversity and ecosystems in the region.

This is the first operation in Belgium under the Natural Capital Financing Facility created by the EIB and the European Commission. The operation is part of a €150 million finance contract signed in spring 2020 by the EIB for SPGE, supporting its environmentally friendly wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure modernisation programme.

In particular, this €4.5 million loan will support the efforts of the SPGE, which is working with all local stakeholders, to re-establish the conditions enabling the freshwater pearl mussel to return to the rivers and streams of Wallonia.

An initial group of projects will develop nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment, with the goal of ensuring bodies of water are in an excellent condition and promoting the return of the pearl mussel and the thick-shelled river mussel, along with their host species of fish. These two Natura 2000 species are currently endangered and have almost disappeared due to poor water quality in some rivers polluted by untreated domestic wastewater and excessive use of fertilisers. However, investment in restoring these species’ habitats and better sewerage management for more than 20 years now are aiming to encourage the progressive return of these extremely vulnerable species.

The second group of projects will put in place measures to protect wastewater treatment plant outlet basins and therefore safeguard the water quality of rivers and associated ecosystems. These measures will include actions to protect water catchment areas to reduce harmful nitrate intake, environmentally friendly pasture management, the creation of meadows with especially rich biodiversity and the development of natural basins or lagoons that reduce water overflows.

As the new loan was announced, EIB Vice-President Kris Peeters, who is representing the Benelux countries, said: “SPGE is the first company in Belgium to benefit from Natural Capital Financing Facility support. Their projects to improve river water quality, biodiversity and ecosystems connected to and dependent on their infrastructure are exemplary and promising. As the EU climate bank, we support innovative investments that respect the climate and the environment, and we are firmly committed to supporting sustainable growth. This development must come with smart management of natural capital, as this is vital for our planet and its inhabitants in terms of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems”.

President of the SPGE Executive Committee Jean-Luc Martin added: “We have been financing and coordinating the Walloon water sector for over 20 years. Every day, we work to treat wastewater across the region, renewing our infrastructure and innovating in multiple domains including studies on micro-plastic treatment and alternative energy generation. We are at the gates of a world making a radical change. Our commitment to one of the world's most important resources – water – is at the very heart of our identity. Achieving this change in the face of climate issues brings huge challenges. But we must work together to protect the environment, to protect water”.