Water quality in the Canton of Bern

According to the city of Bern, the drinking water is checked regularly. Nevertheless, there has been talk of poor water quality in the canton of Bern in the past.

✪ One shjould actually think that the water quality in Bern is excellent - after all, the water is fed frm the Aare and Emmental valleys, where it makes its way to the citities and municipalities. In the citiy of Bern, drinking water is checked regularly, but recently it has been reported that the limits for pesticides in drinking water have been exceeded. The negative results of the water analysis affected more than 50 municipalities, resulting in an increased uncertantiy of the habitants. 

What about the water quality in Bern?

Water is our greatest asset that we depend on every day. Not only do we use it for washing, showering and brushing our teeth, but we also use it for cooking and drinking. So it is not surprising that many consumers now and then ask themselves the question of the quality of the water in the canton of Bern that comes out of the tap every day.

It was not so long ago that the water quality was called into question by a water analysis in the canton of Bern, when the limit values for chlorothalonil were exceeded in over 50 Bernese municipalities. This is a pesticide that was used in agriculture at the time. Apparently residues of the carcinogenic agent could get into the drinking water.

✪ According to the canton's statements, the population of the canton of Bern need not be concerned, but the latest results understandably cause uncertainty.

Where does the drinking water come from in the canton of Bern?

The water in the Canton of Bern is coming from

• 40 % from natural springs,
• 40 % from the groundwater,
• 20 % from surface water

and carefully processed. The drinking water of the canton of Bern is fed from three areas. These regions include:

• Aeschau (Emmental)
• Kiesen (Aaretal)
• Belpau (Aaretal)

The water composition and hardness of the canton of Bern can vary depending on

• Season,
• Soil composition and
• Amount of water

turn out differently. For this reason, the water hardness in the canton of Bern can fluctuate greatly, but it should be on average between 20 to 30°fH (=11-17°dH). This means that the water in these regions is medium to “fairly” hard.

Why can a water analysis be useful?

With regard to the quality of their drinking water, more and more people are skeptical of whether or not they can (still) use the water for drinking and brushing their teeth. Did you know that you can also have your drinking water checked in an independent laboratory? This analysis is not very expensive and can give you a detailed picture of the water quality in your community.

There are currently more and more people in the canton of Bern who are using this type of analysis of their drinking water - especially if there are babies, children or the elderly in the household. The analysis of the drinking water is prepared in an easy and understandable way, so that you can understand the results without any prior or specialist knowledge. The water analysis can not only provide information about pesticides, but also about

• Heavy metals,
• Bacteria,
• Pesticides and other  pollutants

give.

Conclusion: water analyzes can be an advantage

Even if the water in the canton of Bern is supposed to be of good quality, many people are still unsettled because previous water analyzes have shown the opposite. For this reason, more and more private water analyzes are carried out in order to have the quality and ingredients of the water tested.