Water Quality in Winterthur - Where Does the Drinking Water Come From?
The drinking water for Winterthur comes from the groundwater stream of the Töss (Linsental and Zell). Every day, 30,000 m3 (=30,000,000 liters!) are extracted from the stream. The quality of the groundwater stream is so good that it requires no further treatment.
Water Supply
The municipal utilities of Winterthur supply not only the city of Winterthur but also eleven surrounding municipalities with drinking water. This water comes from 9 groundwater sources located in groundwater protection zones and is pumped into 2 reservoirs. Two-thirds of the water is delivered directly to customers thanks to the natural slope, requiring no pumps. The remaining third is pumped into higher reservoirs via 12 stage pump stations and distributed from there. To increase supply security, there is a direct connection to Zurich's drinking water via the Kemptthal stage pump station.
In addition to customers, drinking water is also provided for 3,880 hydrants, firewater reserves, and 130 public fountains.
Water Quality
Winterthur's drinking water has a hardness of about 28 French degrees (= 15.7 German degrees). A simple converter can be found here. More details about the chemical-physical composition are available here.
In short, Winterthur's drinking water quality is excellent. However, since house plumbing is not controlled, it's recommended to check drinking water at the tap. More information on water quality testing can be found here.
Why is a Drinking Water Test Useful?
Although Switzerland's water quality is strictly monitored, contaminants may still reach the tap. Once water enters your household, maintaining its quality is the homeowner's responsibility. Heavy metals, bacterial contamination, or other pollutants are often invisible. A professional laboratory analysis is the best way to ensure your water's quality.
Reasons to conduct a water analysis:
- You regularly drink tap water.
- Your tap water has an unusual taste, smell, or cloudy appearance.
- There are sensitive individuals (e.g., babies, pregnant women) in your household.
- You use tap water to prepare baby food.
- You use a water carbonator.
- You want to rule out contamination from heavy metals due to old pipes.
Further Information:
✔ Heavy metals and pollutants
✔ For general drinking water, softeners
✔ Heavy metals and contaminants
✔ Separate bacteria test recommended
✔ Analysis for lead also included
✔ Separate bacteria test recommended
✔ Focus on bacterial contamination
✔ For general drinking water, softeners
✔ Risk of transmission during showering
✔ Causes Legionnaires' disease
✔ Most common contaminants
✔ Bacteria analysis available separately
✔ 12 common pharmaceuticals
✔ e.g., diclofenac, ibuprofen
✔ Most common pesticides
✔ Glyphosate separate analysis
✔ E. coli, coliform bacteria
✔ Enterococci
✔ Commonly used pesticide
✔ Possibly carcinogenic
✔ 20 common PFAS chemicals
✔ Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances