Dirty secret of Manneken Pis

HE has stood in the Belgian capital for four centuries – but the infamous Manneken Pis has now been exposed as the worst example yet of Brussels’ inefficiency.

The statue of a boy relieving himself has, it seems, been wasting enough water every day for ten homes.

Technician Regis Callens discovered it was sending 2,500 litres a day into the sewers after tracking a meter installed in the 24in fountain. The water passed through the statue, which dates back to 1618, will now be recycled in an internal loop to reduce waste.