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Enough drinking water in times of severe shortage

The Confederation publishes a brochure providing support to the cantons, communes and water suppliers on implementing the Ordinance of 19 August 2020 on Guaranteeing Supplies of Drinking Water in Situations of Severe Shortage (DWSO). There is a need for action in many places, especially in smaller communes. Too little has been done to ensure that drinking water is available in an emergency.

The revised ordinance has been in force since October 2020. It stipulates that in a severe shortage situation each member of the population must receive at least four litres of drinking water per day from the fourth day onwards. Everyone should have enough drinking water from their own emergency supplies during the first three days.

The brochure explains to the authorities and water suppliers how they can be better equipped to deal with severe shortages. Until now, the water supply in Switzerland has functioned largely without disruption. However, shortages are now becoming more likely owing to climate change, increasing conflicts of use between agriculture and water suppliers, and the spread of housing settlements.

Securing the drinking water supply in severe shortages (in german) (PDF, 2 MB, 10.08.2021)

Ordinance on Guaranteeing Supplies of Drinking Water in Situations of Severe Shortage (DWSO)

Explanatory report: Ordinance on Guaranteeing Supplies of Drinking Water in Situations of Severe Shortage (DWSO - in german) (PDF, 797 kB, 10.08.2021)

(10.08.2021)

The dry summers of 2003, 2015 and 2018 made it clear that a functioning drinking water supply cannot be taken for granted, even in Switzerland, with its many lakes and rivers. Furthermore, the many different ways in which water is used can cause problems; for example, the demands on water for agricultural use and domestic consumption conflict with the requirements of water protection and with water suppliers.

The aim of the DWSO is to ensure that the population can be supplied with sufficient drinking water even in the event of a severe shortage. The cantons, in conjunction with their communes and local water companies, ensure that the regions are supplied from a number of different water supply points or that they are networked. This means that, in the event of drought or damaged supply infrastructure, water can be drawn from various points so that sufficient water is available for use.

The DWSO states that, in situations of severe shortage, each member of the population must receive at least four litres of drinking water per day from the fourth day onwards. Local authority crisis organisations are responsible for this emergency supply until the mains water supply returns to normal operation. All members of the population must have enough water in store to cover their needs for the first three days (including drinking water).

Water suppliers must protect their systems against external influences such as sabotage. In order to guarantee the supply of water, they must have two sources from which water is drawn. They must also check drinking water quality more frequently during a shortage.

Additional information

Last modification 21.01.2022

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