Mineral or Tap Water?

More and more people are asking this question – not only in Switzerland. Each year, the Swiss drink around 900 million liters of bottled mineral water. However, recent tests suggest that mineral water is not necessarily healthier or richer in minerals than tap water.

Before we go any further, we need to clarify which kind of tap and mineral water we're talking about. Not all bottled waters are the same – there are many different brands and compositions.

In Switzerland, tap water is safe and healthy. It is among the most strictly monitored food products. Water suppliers like EWL (Energie Wasser Luzern) or EWB (Energie Wasser Bern) publish their analysis results regularly and make them publicly available.

What Minerals and Substances Are Found in Tap Water?

Swiss tap water – sourced from groundwater, lakes, and springs – typically contains the following per liter:

• Calcium: 41–96 mg/l
• Sodium: 1.7–7.6 mg/l
• Potassium: 1.0–2.6 mg/l
• Magnesium: 3.7–8.9 mg/l
• Nitrate: 3.6–9.0 mg/l
• Nitrite: < 0.005 mg/l
• Sulfate: 9.1–11.2 mg/l
• Ortho-phosphate: 0.002–0.003 mg/l
• Chloride: 1.1–8.6 mg/l
• Bicarbonate: 126–326 mg/l
• Ammonium: < 0.03 mg/l

You can't cover your daily mineral needs through drinking water alone. However, for people with kidney issues or dietary restrictions, low phosphate and potassium levels are relevant. Analysis results can also reveal whether pesticides or fertilizers have entered the water. With a water test kit, everyone can test the values that matter most to them.

Is Tap Water Dangerous?

Swiss tap water is generally of excellent quality – but only up to your house connection. After that point, it's your responsibility. About one in six faucet samples in Switzerland has shown heavy metal concentrations above legal limits.

Common causes include old pipes and fixtures that release manganese, lead, copper, iron, zinc, or nickel into the drinking water due to corrosion.

If you want to be sure your tap water is safe, you should test it using a water test kit.

➨ Order water tests here

Why Choose Tap Water?

• Cost:

  In Switzerland, tap water costs only about 0.2 Rappen per liter, while bottled mineral water ranges from 20 to 90 Rappen. A family of four could save CHF 440 to CHF 2,000 per year.

• Environmental footprint:

  Tap water is just as good as bottled water, but with 1,000 times less environmental impact – no transport, no bottle washing.

• Health:

  Often contains more minerals than bottled water – and fewer residues.

• Convenience:

  No heavy crates to carry. Just turn on the tap.

• Eco-friendly:

  No plastic production. No CO₂ emissions from long-distance transport.

• Natural product:

  Swiss tap water is as natural as any mineral water.

• Carbonation:

  If you prefer sparkling water, you can use a soda maker – just keep it clean.

• No lead risk:

  Lead pipes are no longer used. The claim that tap water contains lead is outdated.

Why Choose Bottled Water?

Mostly for taste. Some people prefer the flavor of a specific brand. Since each mineral water is unique, it comes down to personal preference.

Sources

• Wasserversorgung Luzern (EWL)