The microbiome of public buildings in the Antwerp Province. LMM launches 'Leven in Leidingen'
13 July 2026 marked the official launch of 'Leven in Leidingen', a new research project mapping the microbiome hiding in the drainpipes of sinks and showers in public buildings across the province of Antwerp. The project was presented at the Wetenschapspark in Niel, where ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ vice-rector Valorisation and Development Steven Van Passel and Antwerp province deputy Luk Lemmens took the first samples.
A new chapter to our microbiome research
‘Leven in Leidingen’ builds directly on LMM’s current work. Last year, Enya Arconada – under the supervision of Sandra Van Puyvelde – started the POEMBAKterie study — an investigation into the microbiome of kitchen sinks in 1,000 Antwerp households, with results expected in early 2027. With ‘Leven in Leidingen’, the LMM team is taking that work a step further, moving from private kitchens into the sanitary infrastructure of public buildings. The sanitary facilities of sports halls, museums and other public buildings can act as a reservoir for potentially pathogenic bacteria, yet it is largely unknown exactly which micro-organisms live there. ‘Leven in Leidingen’ sets out to change that.
Tomorrowland
Over the coming months, we will collect samples and data from 63 public locations across the province — including offices, schools, sports facilities, museums, gyms, football clubs, swimming pools, concert halls, cinemas and libraries. Samples will for instance be taken at the Zilvermeer in Mol, the provinciehof in Antwerp, Rivierenhof in Deurne, football club Beerschot, and De Schorre in Boom (during Tomorrowland). Using high-resolution DNA sequencing, we will analyse these samples and link the results to environmental and usage data gathered through a targeted questionnaire, with the ultimate goal of developing science-based guidelines for the use and maintenance of sanitary infrastructure. Sampling will take place over Summer, until the end of September. The general, anonymised results are expected in May 2027.
Thank you
Leven in Leidingen is supported by the Province of Antwerp, which is investing €100,000 in the project as part of its innovation policy, together with our partners the Provinciaal Instituut voor Hygiëne (PIH) and the Provinciale Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij (POM) Antwerpen. We warmly thank all three for their trust and continued collaboration.
More information
More information (in Dutch), including an overview of press coverage, is available on the project web page: uantwerpen.be/nl/projecten/leven-in-leidingen