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.

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Join the network

Upcoming gathering:

June 6th, 2025

7th Mayors for Drinkable Meuse Gathering

Annual gathering in in the Meuse source area, FR.

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.

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

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

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

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

Mayors for a Drinkable Meuse Annual gathering #6 (2024, Maaseik, BE)

The sixth “Mayors for Drinkable Meuse” annual gathering took place on March 15th 2024, in Maaseik (Belgium)

Mayors for a Drinkable Meuse Annual gathering #5 (2023, Rotterdam, NL)

The fifth “Mayors for Drinkable Meuse” annual gathering took place on June 2nd 2023, in Rotterdam (Netherland).

Mayors for a Drinkable Meuse Annual gathering #4 (2022, Cuijk, NL)

The fourth “Mayors for Drinkable Meuse” annual gathering took place on June 10th 2022, in Cuijk (Netherland).

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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