Switzerland draws 80 per cent of its drinking water from springs and groundwater, and the rest comes from lakes. Zurich alone has over 1,200 fountains from which you can drink without worry.
The short answer
Yes, from the tap and from every fountain
Aquaviana’s advice
- Every fountain without a “Kein Trinkwasser” (not drinking water) sign carries drinking water, in Zurich, Basel, Bern and Geneva alike.
- Bottled water is expensive, and a reusable bottle saves several francs a day.
- Lake water (Zurich, Geneva) is extensively treated and is soft and neutral.
Where the water comes from
Around 40 per cent comes from springs, 40 per cent from groundwater and 20 per cent from lakes. Zurich draws two thirds of its water from Lake Zurich, treated in several stages with ozone, sand and activated carbon, plus spring and groundwater. Geneva uses Lake Geneva, and Bern uses groundwater from the Aare valley. In Switzerland hardness is given in French degrees (°fH); 25 °fH correspond to 14 °dH.
Fountain culture
More than 1,200 public fountains in Zurich, about 300 in Basel, and at least one in every village: Switzerland is the country where you can always fill your water bottle on the go. Wherever there is no “Kein Trinkwasser” sign, the water is drinkable. Many fountains carry spring water and work as a fridge for drinks in summer.
Prices
Bottled water is among the most expensive in Europe, and in a restaurant five decilitres easily cost six to eight francs. Tap water is also charged for in many venues, often with the argument of service costs. In Switzerland a reusable bottle is a question of your wallet, not only of the environment.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the water on the Swiss Plateau so hard?
Groundwater from molasse and limestone gravel absorbs a lot of calcium. In cities such as Basel and Winterthur it measures 20 to 35 °fH, which is 11 to 20 °dH, and for kettles that means regular descaling.
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