Scientists call for strategy to protect Swiss groundwater

Switzerland needs targeted measures to protect its groundwater reserves, the Academy of Natural Sciences Switzerland has told SRF after a dry summer.

Groundwater levels fall and springs can dry up during periods of drought, said Christian Möck, who heads the Swiss groundwater network at the ETH water research institute Eawag and is a member of the academy’s expert group. While groundwater is generally in good condition in Switzerland, such declines can have severe local and regional consequences, he said.

Groundwater supplies around 80 percent of the country’s drinking water and affects all areas of life and the economy. Experts are calling for a comprehensive strategy to ensure that groundwater can be replenished and maintained at good quality.

They warn that climate change is likely to bring more extreme conditions, including dry periods and heavy rainfall. Where groundwater is available, it can help offset the effects of these extremes.

The federal government is currently preparing a comprehensive water management strategy. Katrin Schneeberger, director of the Federal Office for the Environment, said at the end of August that the plan should help identify conflicts over water use at an early stage, improve data and manage available water resources sustainably over the long term.

The academy’s demands include protecting bodies of water and wetlands, maintaining water quality and creating ways to store or retain water. Möck said the initiative was intended not only to raise awareness but also to highlight areas where action was still needed or gaps remained.

The federal government plans to present its strategy next year.