Water Quality in the Canton of Geneva

The water quality in the canton of Geneva meets the high standards required for drinking water. Every three years, the relevant data is submitted to the World Health Organization (WHO) for review.

The excellent water quality of Lake Geneva

As the main supplier of drinking water, Lake Geneva is the most important resource for the drinking water supply of over half a million people in the canton of Geneva and neighboring France.

The international French-Swiss commission CIPEL (Commission Internationale pour la Protection des Eaux du Léman) is tasked with continuously monitoring the ecological development of Lake Geneva, the Rhône, and their tributaries.

Switzerland promotes approximately one billion cubic meters of drinking water. In the canton of Geneva, Lake Geneva supplies more than 80 million cubic meters of water annually. The water drawn from spring water, groundwater, rivers, and lakes must be treated according to its origin to meet legal limits.

✪ Drinking water in the canton of Geneva flows clear and pure from the tap for all citizens. This is the responsibility of Swiss water suppliers. They ensure strict adherence to legal quality standards to guarantee excellent water quality. Compliance with limits is usually achieved either physically through ultraviolet irradiation and sterile filtration or chemically through the addition of chlorine or ozone.

✪ The water quality in the canton of Geneva is regularly checked through random sampling by cantonal water inspectors in addition to the voluntary self-monitoring by regional water suppliers.

✪ The water from the canton of Geneva is taste-neutral and cool, clear, and free from unpleasant odors. It has been proven to contain no harmful pathogens. Dissolved minerals are present in appropriate concentrations depending on the region. The water tastes good, is healthy, and can be consumed daily without concern.