Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
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Topic Groundwater
Groundwater is an important indigenous natural resource. Over 80% of Swiss drinking water is obtained from groundwater. Groundwater is also a central element in the natural hydrologic cycle and supplies valuable habitats such as spring biotopes, swamps and wetlands.
The FOEN is committed to sustainable management and integral protection of groundwater. It monitors, documents and evaluates the status of groundwater at national level and provides instruments to safeguard groundwater resources.
Headings
Groundwater is… - our main drinking water resource. It flows in underground cavities. It emerges naturally on the surface in the form of springs or is extracted from pumping wells.
NAQUA National Groundwater Monitoring - The National Groundwater Monitoring records the status and development of groundwater resources at over 500 monitoring sites in Switzerland..
Results of the NAQUA National Groundwater Monitoring - Current and historic data provides a nationwide survey of groundwater quantity and quality.
Threats to Groundwater - Groundwater is threatened by pollution from agriculture, industry and transport. Construction activities can also affect groundwater.
Groundwater protection - Groundwater is the main drinking water resource and must be protected against pathogenic microorganisms, contamination and quantity problems. This protection is enshrined in law.
Publications - On groundwater.
Maps - Overview of the sources, status and protection of groundwater in Switzerland.
Groundwater: specialised agencies - The cantonal authorities are responsible for implementing water protection legislation and monitoring groundwater at cantonal level.
INFO-Tracer: Tracer tests in groundwater - The INFO-TRACER Central Coordination Office for Tracer Tests collects, files and coordinates the tracer tests carried out in Switzerland.
FAQ - Who owns the groundwater? What is the difference between groundwater and drinking water? Who looks after groundwater protection? Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.
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