Groundwater is a vital resource, providing 80% of the drinking water supply in Switzerland. But it remains under pressure. Researcher Mario Schirmer talks about the importance of groundwater and the threats it faces globally. + Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox SRF News: A few years ago, reports that groundwater from Switzerland’s central Plateau region was contaminated in many places caused consternation among the public. Is groundwater in Switzerland under increasing pressure? Mario Schirmer: Yes, groundwater is under pressure, both in terms of the quantity of groundwater available and, of course, in terms of quality. Mario Schirmer Mario Schirmer is a researcher and professor of water resources and drinking water at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag). He has been working on the topic of groundwater for over 30 years. SRF News: What are the biggest challenges? M.S.: One is urbanisation. Urban areas are expanding to where ...
