Federal water strategy faces criticism over missing consumption data

Switzerland’s planned federal water management strategy does not include nationwide data collection on water consumption, SRF reports. Researchers and politicians say accurate figures are essential for managing the increasingly scarce resource sustainably.

Water is used extensively in Switzerland, including for agricultural irrigation, cooling data centres and cleaning slaughterhouses. The country has been suffering from drought for weeks. The federal government has responded with measures including support for farmers, while army helicopters have transported water to remote alpine meadows.

Environment Minister Albert Rösti has pointed to a water management strategy currently under development. Its aim is to promote more careful use of the limited resource.

However, the planned strategy has drawn criticism from scientists and politicians. No one knows exactly how much water agriculture and industry withdraw, and critics fear that this will not change under the current plans.

Jürg Grossen, president of the Green Liberal Party, said the strategy did not go far enough because it contained no data collection. The party plans to use parliamentary motions to push the federal government to improve its approach to water management.

Water researcher Bettina Schaefli of the University of Bern also criticised the federal government’s direction. She said agriculture and industry together consume up to half of Switzerland’s water from private extraction, which is barely measured.

“We simply cannot manage a naturally limited resource without knowing precisely where the water comes from and where it goes,” Schaefli said.

Comprehensive consumption data would help cantonal authorities make fair and well-founded decisions during shortages. Schaefli said the federal government needed to move beyond recommendations and issue precise requirements.

The Federal Office for the Environment said it was taking the criticism seriously. Its director, Katrin Schneeberger, said work was under way on the water management strategy, including an examination of the data available. The office is preparing a data plan that will determine what additional information is needed.

The canton of Bern is already planning to collect its own data on water consumption rather than waiting for the federal government. The move is also intended to improve preparedness for future periods of drought.