Zurich plans for rising water demand with infrastructure overhaul
Friday 14th August 2026 on 06:00 in
Switzerland
Zurich and 67 partner municipalities expect drinking water consumption to rise again as the population grows, SRF reports. The city says supplies should nevertheless remain secure, provided it renews ageing infrastructure and prepares for higher demand during heatwaves.
About 70 percent of Zurich’s drinking water comes from Lake Zurich, the city’s main water source. City councillor Michael Baumer of the FDP said the lake was a major resource that allowed the city to look to the future with greater confidence.
Water consumption in Zurich and its partner municipalities had either declined or stagnated for years. The city now expects moderate growth as more people move to the region. By 2040, average daily consumption is forecast to reach around 190,000 cubic metres. Consumption could rise significantly for periods during heatwaves.
Adrian Rieder, head of distribution at Zurich Water Supply, said the drinking water system was also well prepared for the future.
The greatest need for action is in the distribution networks and facilities. Some pipes are already 100 years old, and around 25 kilometres of pipelines are to be replaced each year to reduce the risk of ruptures. Zurich Water Supply is also concerned about quagga mussels in Lake Zurich, which can affect technical installations.
A risk analysis found that the lake was very unlikely to become completely unavailable as a drinking water source. The city nevertheless has emergency plans. If its water facilities fail, it would rely on an emergency supply consisting of around 400 public fountains fed by spring water from the Sihl and Lorze valleys.
Renewing the infrastructure is expected to cost the city up to 45 million Swiss francs a year. A separate project, Aqua Novo, will completely rebuild the more than 100-year-old Moos water treatment plant, which uses lake water. Zurich Water Supply estimates that project will cost several hundred million francs.
The city council expects water charges to rise in the long term as a result. It says the increase will remain within a range that residents will probably not notice.