Water Quality in Winterthur - Where Does the Drinking Water Come From?

The drinking water for Winterthur comes from the groundwater stream of the Töss (Linsental and Zell). Every day, 30,000 m³ (=30,000,000 liters!) are extracted from the stream. The quality of the groundwater stream is so good that it requires no further treatment.

Water Supply

The municipal utilities of Winterthur supply not only the city of Winterthur but also eleven surrounding municipalities with drinking water. This water comes from 9 groundwater sources located in groundwater protection zones and is pumped into 2 reservoirs. Two-thirds of the water is then delivered directly to customers. Due to the natural slope, no pumps are needed for this. For the remaining third, the water is pumped into higher reservoirs via 12 stage pump stations. From there, it is distributed to customers. To further increase supply security, there is a direct connection to Zurich's drinking water via the Kemptthal stage pump station.

In addition to customers, drinking water is also provided for 3,880 hydrants as well as firewater reserves and 130 public fountains.

Water Quality

Winterthur's drinking water has a hardness of about 28 French degrees of hardness (= 15.7 German degrees of hardness) – you can find a simple converter here. More information about the chemical-physical composition can be found here.

In short, the quality of drinking water in Winterthur is very high. However, since there is no control of the house plumbing, it is recommended to check the drinking water at the tap. More information on testing the water quality in your house can be found here.

Why is a Drinking Water Test Useful?

Although water quality in Switzerland is strictly monitored, contaminants can still enter the water up to the household tap. From the house connection, the homeowner is responsible for maintaining water quality.
Heavy metals, bacterial contamination, or other pollutants are often not visible to the naked eye. Therefore, the best way to get a comprehensive overview of your own water quality is with a professional laboratory analysis of your drinking water.

Here are the reasons why it is worthwhile to conduct a water analysis:

➥ You regularly drink tap water.
➥ Your tap water has an unusual taste, smell, or cloudy appearance.
➥ There are people in your household who may be particularly affected by contaminated water, such as babies or pregnant women.
➥ You use your tap water to prepare baby food.
➥ You own a water carbonator for which you use your tap water.
➥ You are unsure of the piping material used in your house and want to rule out contamination from heavy metals.

Further Information:
Stadtwerke Winterthur

Swiss Association of Gas and Water

EDI Regulation on Drinking Water (pdf)

Water analysis medicines

Test whether there are residues of medicines in your drinking water. Small amounts of these get into the drinking water again and again. Our drinking water analysis medicines includes 12 common medicines. Reasons why a water analysis can be useful for you: You consume your tap water regularly. Th Hi

✔ Analysis for pharmaceutical residues
✔ 12 common pharmaceuticals
✔ e.g., diclofenac, ibuprofen

CHF 234.00

Water analysis PFAS

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, are increasingly finding their way into our food chains - sometimes they are also found in drinking water. Some of these substances are suspected of being carcinogenic. You can analyse your drinking water for these c Hi

✔ Analysis for long-term chemicals
✔ 20 common PFAS chemicals
✔ Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances

CHF 220.00

Water Analysis Combi

Test your water with the Combi water analysis and find out how good your drinking water is. Your water is tested in the lab for toxic heavy metals, and nutrients are also measured along with the determination of water hardness. Additionally, the water is tested for bacteria, both generally at diffe Hi

✔ Bacteria Test: E. Coli, coliform bacteria
✔ Heavy metals and pollutants
✔ For general drinking water, softeners

CHF 205.00

Water analysis pesticides

Test whether you have pesticides or herbicides in your drinking water. Small amounts of these get into the drinking water again and again. Our pesticides drinking water test includes eight common pesticides and biocides, as well as the sum of all pesticide proportions determined in the laboratory Hi

✔ > 100 pesticides
✔ Most common pesticides
✔ Glyphosate separate analysis

CHF 202.00

Water analysis Glyphosate

Glyphosate is the main component of several total or broad-spectrum herbicides used primarily in agriculture to kill weeds. It is produced both as an acid and as a salt. Its effect on human health remains controversial: the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified it as "pr Hi

✔ Water analysis for glyphosate
✔ Commonly used pesticide
✔ Possibly carcinogenic

CHF 202.00

Water analysis Bacteria Plus

To ensure perfect water hygiene, a water test can be useful. Bacteria can get into tap water in a wide variety of ways and represent a potential hazard. In particular, the total number of bacteria in the water is often increased in bacterial tests. Coliform germs, which can cause gastrointestinal Hi

✔ Detailed bacteria test
✔ E. coli, coliform bacteria
✔ Enterococci

CHF 165.00

Water Test Legionella

A legionella test is compulsory for many apartment buildings. This is because Legionella can cause serious diseases in humans. You can therefore test your water for Legionella too! Why is a Legionella test useful? The bacteria can get into the respiratory tract through aerosols (nebulised water), w Hi

✔ Legionella analysis
✔ Risk of transmission during showering
✔ Causes Legionnaires' disease

CHF 113.00

Water analysis bacteria

✔ Bacteria test: E. Coli, coliform bacteria
✔ Focus on bacterial contamination
✔ For general drinking water, softeners

CHF 113.00

Water Test Opti

Test your water with the Opti water test and thus contribute to improved water hygiene. Your water is examined for toxic heavy metals in the laboratory, nutrients are also recorded and the water hardness is determined. Why a laboratory analysis for your drinking water is valuable As a rule, drink Hi

✔ Comprehensive analysis
✔ Heavy metals and contaminants
✔ Bacteria analysis additionally recommended

CHF 105.00

Water Analysis Baby

With the Water Analysis Baby, you can quickly and easily determine whether your tap water is suitable for preparing baby food. Because some parameters that can occur in drinking water are particularly dangerous for babies and pregnant women. Good reasons for the Water Analysis Baby: You want the Hi

✔ Specifically designed for baby drinking water
✔ Most common contaminants
✔ Separate bacteria analysis

CHF 98.00

Water analysis Ideal

The water test Ideal tests your tap water, among other things, for corrosion-indicating substances and possible pollutants that can get into your drinking water, especially from the pipe material. Why should a water test with laboratory analysis be performed? The tap water in residential building Hi

✔ Focus on heavy metals
✔ Analysis for lead also included
✔ Bacteria analysis additionally recommended

CHF 92.00