Water shortages put Switzerland’s cross-border water rules to the test

A dispute over Lake Maggiore, a cross-border lake, shows how competing interests can turn water into a political issue, SRF reported. Italy wants to raise the lake level to supply agriculture in the Po Valley, while authorities in Ticino are concerned about flooding around Locarno.

This year, the Piedmont region asked Ticino to release additional water into Lake Maggiore, whose level has been low for some time. The Ticino government rejected the request, citing strained water supplies in the canton.

Switzerland plays a particular role in such disputes because it supplies numerous rivers and lakes that flow beyond its borders. Decisions made in Switzerland can therefore affect neighbouring countries.

Drinking water takes priority

When water is scarce, the most important needs should come first, according to Christian Bréthaut, a professor of water policy at the University of Geneva. Speaking to RSI, the Italian-language branch of Swiss public broadcaster SRG, he said drinking-water supplies were the cornerstone because water is a basic human right.

Food security and energy security should follow, Bréthaut said. However, he added that precise data on actual water consumption in different sectors was still lacking. Better understanding of these needs was necessary to determine when and how priorities should be set, he said.

Cantons lead, but federal government may need to intervene

Switzerland’s federal system means that cantons are on the front line in managing such crises, Bréthaut said. They know the challenges and the mechanisms of good neighbourly relations better than anyone else, he said.

However, the federal government must intervene when local tensions become diplomatic issues. Such disputes can quickly reach the highest political levels, Bréthaut said, adding that the federal government should support cantonal authorities in talks with neighbouring countries.

Existing agreements govern several waterways

Agreements already regulate many cross-border rivers and lakes. The Rhine, Danube and Lake Constance are particularly well organised and serve as examples of cross-border water management, Bréthaut said.

These waterways have joint commissions and established procedures for dealing with floods, droughts and water-quality issues. Such agreements can help anticipate tensions that are being intensified by climate change, he said.