Status of remediation of contaminated sites
All in all it is assumed that of the approximately 38,000 contaminated sites, around 4,000 represent a risk for human beings and the environment and therefore should be classified as contaminated. Work on decontaminating those sites that represent an acute risk for protected resources has meanwhile been initiated almost everywhere. The aim is for all ongoing studies to be concluded by 2028 and for the decontamination of all sites to be completed by 2045. This staggered approach ensures that significant environmental risks are eliminated quickly, without overextending the financial possibilities of the public purse or the involved private entities.
medium
unsatisfactory
Around 1,800 contaminated sites – including major hazardous sites such as the landfills in Kölliken, Bonfol and Monthey (Pont Rouge landfill) – have already been remediated. Every year - also thanks to the federal OCRCS Contamination Fund payments - new, sometimes very extensive remediations are initiated. However, around 2,200 contaminated sites are still waiting to be remediated. For this reason, the state is considered to be medium.
The data collected in recent years and a questionnaire sent out to the cantons have shown that many cantons will not be able to increase the pace of their remediation efforts due to a lack of human resources. The set goal of completing all remediation work by 2045 will therefore probably not be achieved. The trend is therefore considered unsatisfactory.
- Related indicators
- VOC in groundwater
The remediated sites are also recorded within the framework of EIONET. It must be noted that in the different countries there are different legal situations for the remediation of contaminated sites and so also for the obligation to carry out remedial work. A slight trend can be seen however, in which for Switzerland the proportion of contaminated sites already remediated is high compared to the total number.
Statistical evaluation of the reports.
Further informations
