PFAS in the tap water in the province of Namur
The tap water in the province of Namur meets the legal standard. In most distribution zones, the four PFAS in the target value cannot even be measured. In 7 of the 171 zones, the level is at or above the Walloon target of 4 nanograms per litre. Here you can read what that means and what you can do yourself.
See the figuresShop ZeroWaterHow much PFAS is in the tap water in the province of Namur?
- All distribution zones meet the legal standard. The highest level for 20 PFAS is 38 of the allowed 100 ng/l.
- In 146 of the 171 zones, none of the four target PFAS could be measured.
- 7 zones are at or above the target of 4 ng/l.
- The drinking water companies say: just keep drinking tap water.
Where is the level at or above the target?
| Area | PFAS (ng/l)* | Drinking water company |
|---|---|---|
| Anhée (Anhée, Molignée) | 7 | AIEM |
| Hastière | 7 | SWDE |
| La Bruyère, Namur, Jemeppe-sur-Sambre, Gembloux | 6.6 | SWDE |
| Florennes (Hanzinne) | 5.7 | INASEP |
| Florennes (Morville) | 4.7 | INASEP |
| Onhaye (Serville, Anthée) | 4 | AIEM |
| Gedinne (Gedinne gare) | 4 | Municipality of Gedinne |
Why the province of Namur?
In Wallonia, most tap water is made from groundwater. Groundwater usually contains little PFAS. That is why the levels in most of the province are very low.
Where PFAS do show up, the cause is often local, for example industry or firefighting foam near a water source. In December 2023, the water in three villages in Florennes (Corenne, Flavion and Rosée) was briefly above the legal standard. INASEP connected them to another water supply within a few days.
* Sum of four PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA and PFHxS), latest measurement per distribution zone in 2025, taken at the kitchen tap. A zone is included if it supplies (part of) a municipality in the province of Namur. Source: Public Service of Wallonia (SPW), state of play of PFAS in distributed water in Wallonia (September 2023 – December 2025), March 2026. Levels may vary by street and by measurement.
What is PFAS?
PFAS is a large group of man-made substances. They are found in many things you use every day.
- Non-stick pans
- Rain jackets and outdoor clothing
- Food packaging
- Cosmetics and firefighting foam
Why is it called a ‘forever chemical’?
- PFAS hardly break down in nature.
- They enter rivers and groundwater through factories and products.
- That water is also used to make drinking water.
- They stay in your body for a long time.
Why PFAS deserves attention
EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, says: part of the European population takes in more PFAS than is good for their health. This comes mainly from food, but also from drinking water.
It builds up
Your body clears PFAS only slowly. Small amounts add up over the years.
Effect on your immune system
According to EFSA, even small amounts of PFAS can make your immune system work less well.
The target is stricter than the law
Flanders and Wallonia aim for 4 nanograms per litre for four PFAS. The law is less strict. Below you can read the difference.
Law and target: what's the difference?
There are two numbers you may read about. They don't measure the same thing, but this is how it works:
- The law (EU): a maximum of 100 nanograms per litre for 20 PFAS combined. It applies across the EU from 12 January 2026. Brussels (2024) and Wallonia (2025) already applied it earlier.
- The target: 4 nanograms per litre for four PFAS combined (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA and PFHxS). Flanders and Wallonia want to reach this by 2028. It is based on EFSA advice.
The target is stricter because it looks at the four PFAS that have been studied most and that EFSA considers most important for your health.
Good to know
- Tap water in Belgium is safe to drink, say VMM (Flanders), SWDE (Wallonia) and Vivaqua (Brussels).
- Drinking water made from groundwater usually contains less PFAS than water made from surface water such as rivers and canals.
- In Wallonia, most tap water is made from groundwater.
- Boiling does not remove PFAS from your water.
ZeroWater filters PFAS
Just keep drinking tap water. Want to take in less PFAS through your water? Then a certified filter is a simple extra step.
less PFAS in your water
This percentage applies to PFOA and PFOS, the two best-known and most studied PFAS. The ZeroWater 5-stage filter has been tested for these to the NSF/ANSI 53 standard and certified by the independent institute IAPMO. View the certificate.
Tested, certified
Not a promise, but an independently tested result. Tested with far more PFOA and PFOS than is found in Belgian tap water.
More than just PFAS
The filter is also certified for lead, chromium-6, mercury and chlorine. That makes your water taste purer too.
See it for yourself 000 PPM
Every jug comes with a TDS meter. It shows how pure your water is. Does it show 006? Then it's time for a new filter.
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Add to cartView product →Questions about PFAS in the province of Namur
Can I still drink the tap water in the province of Namur?
Yes. The tap water in the province of Namur meets the legal standard. SWDE, INASEP and the other drinking water companies say there is no reason to stop drinking tap water. Want to take in less PFAS? Then you can filter your water as an extra step.
Does ZeroWater filter all PFAS?
The honest answer: ZeroWater is certified for PFOA and PFOS, the two best-known PFAS. There are thousands of types of PFAS. We have no certificate for the other types, so we don't make any promises about them.
Does the TDS meter show how much PFAS is in my water?
No. The meter measures dissolved solids such as limescale and metals. PFAS are present in such tiny amounts that a TDS meter can't measure them. The meter does help you see when your filter is used up: when it shows 006, replace your filter.
Does boiling or bottled water help?
Boiling does not remove PFAS from water. Bottled water creates a lot of plastic waste. A filter on your regular tap water is a simpler alternative.
Where does PFAS in drinking water come from?
PFAS end up in the environment through factories, firefighting foam and products. Through rivers, canals and soil, they reach the water used to make drinking water. That is why drinking water made from surface water often contains more PFAS than drinking water made from groundwater.
What happened in Florennes?
In late 2023, measurements in Corenne, Flavion and Rosée (Florennes) showed more than 100 nanograms of PFAS per litre. Residents were advised not to drink the tap water for a few days. INASEP took the water sources concerned out of use and connected the villages to another supply. Since January 2024, no distribution zone in Wallonia has been above the legal standard.
Know what you drink
Just tap water, but with less PFAS. For you and your family in the province of Namur.
Shop ZeroWaterReplacement filters- Public Service of Wallonia (SPW) – PFAS in distributed water in Wallonia: state of play, September 2023 – December 2025 (March 2026, in French). View PDF
- SWDE – Water and PFAS: what do I need to know? swde.be
- RTBF – PFAS pollution in Florennes: a solution for the three villages concerned (December 2023, in French). Read the article
- Wallonia brings forward the PFAS standard for drinking water, February 2025 (in Dutch). businessam.be
- EFSA – PFAS in food: EFSA assesses risks and sets tolerable intake (2020). efsa.europa.eu
- EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184. eur-lex.europa.eu
- ZeroWater Performance Data Sheet, IAPMO certification to NSF/ANSI 53 and 42. View PDF
ZeroWater is certified for the reduction of PFOA and PFOS. Results were achieved under laboratory conditions; actual results may vary.