The right treatment in the right place: decentralised wastewater treatment in Bellegembos
Decentralised wastewater treatment has an important role to play where central infrastructure is not the right fit. This was the key message at BelleAqua’s study day in Kortrijk, where policymakers, local authorities and water-sector specialists came together to discuss local treatment solutions, with Bellegembos as a practical example.
Choosing wastewater treatment that fits the location
Centralised treatment, collective decentralised treatment or individual systems: there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The right choice depends on local conditions, treatment requirements and the long-term organisation of operation and maintenance.
Contributions from the City of Kortrijk, the Flemish Environment Agency (VMM), the Province of West Flanders, VLARIO, Aquafin and BelleAqua brought these different perspectives together. A shared message emerged: compare the options, consider investment and operating costs together, and make water quality the starting point.
This means looking beyond centralised treatment where local conditions call for a different approach. Where connecting to central infrastructure is technically difficult, costly or unlikely to happen in the short term, decentralised treatment can provide a practical alternative.
Bellegembos: from untreated discharge to local treatment
The Bellegembos residential cluster, located in a rural part of Kortrijk, shows how this approach works. Previously, wastewater from the homes flowed untreated through drainage ditches into the Bosbeek. Since 30 april 2026, 49 homes have been connected to a local wastewater treatment installation.
Now, the installation treats wastewater close to its source while keeping its presence in the neighbourhood discreet.
Why MBR was the right fit
Strict effluent requirements, including nitrogen and phosphorus limits, called for a compact, high-performance treatment system. An underground membrane bioreactor (MBR) using Blue Foot membranes for filtration was the preferred solution.
An inlet buffer helps manage flow peaks, allowing the system to maintain stable treatment as wastewater flows vary throughout the day. Installed underground, it fits discreetly into the neighbourhood without causing odour nuisance for residents.
Blue Foot Membranes for decentralised wastewater treatment
Bellegembos shows how decentralised wastewater treatment can offer a practical alternative where connecting to central infrastructure is challenging. By bringing together the expertise of BelleAqua and Blue Foot, the project offers a useful example for other communities facing similar wastewater challenges.
