Mayors for a Drinkable Meuse

An international mayors network to work towards a drinkable Meuse. Combining the passion of river communities with the influence of local mayors.

Upcoming event:

29 May 2026

8th anual gathering Mayors for Drinkable Meuse

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Mayors for a Drinkable Meuse Logo

River basin network “Mayors for a Drinkable Meuse”

The network

This mayor network learns and works towards Drinkable Rivers. The network recognises that they are all dependent on the Meuse river and tributaries. The Meuse mayors have signed a declaration.  The municipalities have agreed to work together to improve the water quality of the Meuse with the common long term vision of a Drinkable Meuse. The network organises annual gatherings and expert sessions to learn and act on a river basin level. 

Our healthy lifeline

A Meuse that is ecologically healthy and in balance that we can drink straight from is both simple and appealing and also engages all inhabitants, the general public. A healthy Meuse is the lifeline for all of us: inhabitants, businesses, otters, dragonflies and also for all the rowers, sailors and swimmers. Strengthening this shared base will benefit many. That is why this network collaborates closely with river user groups and local environmental organisations.

Actiegids Drinkbare Maas

Download hier de actiegids en word ambassadeur voor een drinkbare Maas.

    Guide la Meuse à boire

    Téléchargez le guide ici et devenez l’ambassadeur d’une Meuse à Boire.

      Meuse river walk 2018

      In 2018 Li An Phoa walked the Meuse from source-to-sea, crossing three countries: France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Every night she was hosted by local people. In total more than two hundred people, ‘Meuse Angels’, supported this walk.The Mayors for a Drinkable Meuse was inspired by this river walk.

      Learn more about the Meuse walk

      A word from the founding mayors

      Boris Ravignon

      Boris Ravignon

      Mayor of Charleville-Mézières, France

      “Cities along the Meuse like Charleville-Mézières have turned their backs on the Meuse for too long. We are now engaged in a process of reconciliation with our river. In this context, the network of “mayors for a drinkable Meuse” seems essential to us to share our ambitions and the means to achieve them.”

      “Les villes mosanes comme Charleville-Mézières ont trop longtemps tourné le dos à la Meuse. Nous sommes aujourd’hui engagés dans une démarche de réconciliation avec notre fleuve. Dans ce contexte, le lancement d’un réseau de « maires pour une Meuse à boire » nous apparait indispensable pour partager nos ambitions et les moyens d’y parvenir.”

      Maxime Prévot

      Maxime Prévot

      Mayor of Namur, Belgium

      “The confluence is the cradle of Namur, Capital of Wallonia. The Meuse is in the DNA of any citizen of Namur who stands alongside the river. Therefore, it’s essential to share experiences and to coordinate the pursuance of our efforts within the network ‘Mayors for a drinkable Meuse'”.

      “Le confluent est le berceau de Namur, Capitale de la Wallonie. La Meuse fait partie de l’ADN des citoyens namurois qui la côtoient. Ainsi, il est primordial d’échanger nos expériences et de coordonner la poursuite de nos efforts grâce au Réseau ‘Maires pour une Meuse à boire'”.

      Wim Hillenaar

      Wim Hillenaar

      Mayor of Maastricht (former mayor of Land van Cuijk), Netherlands

      “I support the network because it touches exactly the essence! The quality of our river water holds up the mirror to us. No matter how big the problem is, everyone can contribute to a drinkable river.”

      “Je soutiens le réseau parce qu’il touche précisément à l’essentiel ! La qualité de l’eau reflète la relation avec nos rivières comme un miroir. De plus, quelle que soit l’ampleur du problème, tout le monde peut contribuer à rendre une rivière à boire”.

      Part of the Global network

      The Meuse Mayors network is one of the river basin networks whithin the global network of “Mayors for Drinkable Rivers”

      Learn more

      Mayors for a Drinkable Meuse events

      Meuse Family

      We work with a coalition of the willing and gradually we are growing the committed Meuse river family.

      Participants (municipalities):

      Charleville-Mézières
      Namur
      Lanaken
      Maasmechelen
      Dilsen-Stokkem
      Maaseik
      Kinrooi
      Eijsden-Margraten
      Sittard-Geleen
      Maasgouw
      Leudal
      Peel-en-Maas
      Land van Cuijk
      Oss
      Drimmelen
      Barendrecht
      Rotterdam

      Participants (non-municipalities):

      Province Noord-Brabant
      Waterschap Limburg
      Waterschap Aa en Maas
      Waterschap de Dommel
      Waterschap Brabantse Delta
      Waterschap Schieland & Krimpenerwaard
      Vereniging Nederlandse Riviergemeenten

      Visitors (municipalities):

      Pouilly-en-Bassigny
      Val-de-Meuse
      Neufchâteau
      Wadelincourt
      Sedan
      Givet
      Profondeville
      Andenne
      Hierges
      Liege
      Maastricht
      Beesel
      Venlo
      Heumen
      Meierijstad
      West Maas en Waal
      Molenlanden

      Partners

      We support the Sustainable Development Goals

      Contact us

      Are you a municipality within the Meuse watershed or another important partner and wish to be on our invitation list, please contact us here.

      Visit Drinkable Rivers