Drinking Water in Switzerland

The drinking water available in Switzerland meets extremely high quality standards. 80 percent of the water comes from underground sources, and the remaining 20 percent is taken from lakes. Thanks to groundwater protection zones, nearly two-thirds of Swiss tap water can be distributed without treatment. So you can drink water from any tap in Switzerland and enjoy it without worry. Even its ecological footprint is better than bottled mineral water.

You can find interesting educational videos from SRF here.

Did you know that drinking water is the most controlled food in Switzerland?

Swiss water quality is regularly tested and meets the highest hygiene and safety standards. The environmental health organization WHO requires Switzerland to publish all drinking water data every three years. Reports are prepared by the FSVO and the FOEN.

These offices work closely with cantonal authorities and inform the public via the report "Implementation of the Protocol on Water and Health in Switzerland", which also provides an overview of water and wastewater sector projects.

The Drinking Water Ordinance in Switzerland

This is anchored in the federal Drinking Water Ordinance. Swiss water quality meets some of the highest standards worldwide. There are norms and limits that must be observed to ensure future water quality.

Swiss drinking water must be below defined microbiological limits. Physical and chemical parameters as well as tolerances for ingredients and foreign substances are clearly regulated. Contamination usually stems from the household’s own plumbing system.

Drinking Water in Switzerland – the Ideal Thirst Quencher

Tap water should be treated as naturally as possible, with minimal intervention in its composition.

Drinking water consists of spring, groundwater, and lake water

Spring water is especially found in the Alps and Jura, where it undergoes natural purification. As it filters through layers of soil, it is cleansed and enriched with minerals like calcium carbonate and magnesium. Groundwater seeps deep into soil layers and absorbs minerals, influencing taste. Lake water comes from water treatment plants, is stored for a long time in lake basins, and is very soft. It undergoes multi-stage treatment due to urban influence.

Swiss Tap Water – as Valuable as Mineral Water

Depending on the source mix, tap water may have more or fewer minerals. Only about half of bottled mineral waters contain more minerals than tap water. Since the body can only absorb a limited amount of minerals, highly mineralized water often offers little added value.

★ On average, one liter of tap water in Switzerland costs 0.2 centimes – making it unbeatable in price-performance compared to bottled mineral water.