Aquafin was established in 1990 by the Flemish Region (Belgium) to develop, operate and pre-finance the wastewater treatment infrastructure in Flanders. Aquafin collects domestic wastewater from municipal sewers and transports it to wastewater treatment plants where it is treated according to European and Flemish standards before being returned to nature. As a result, the quality of the watercourses has improved enormously. The treated water is not of drinking quality for humans, but it’s just right for fish, birds and amphibians. Aquafin also uses its knowledge of the water cycle to provide clean water in urban centres, but also to ensure the sustainable use of rainwater to prevent increased soil desiccation or flooding after heavy rainfall.