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Water is becoming scarcer in many places, even in Switzerland. What’s the situation where you live?

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I cover climate change and energy through reportages, articles, interviews and in-depth reports. I am interested in the impacts of global warming on everyday life and solutions for an emission-free planet. Passionate about travel and discovery, I studied biology and other natural sciences. I have been a journalist for SWI swissinfo.ch for more than 20 years.

Water is becoming scarcer in many parts of the world. Even Switzerland, considered the “water castle” of Europe, is not safe from water shortages. The country needs to rethink its water management, and the population is also being called upon to make efforts to reduce water consumption, especially at certain times of year.

What’s the situation like where you live? Are you concerned by water shortages? And what are you doing to reduce your water consumption? Share your experiences and suggestions for saving water.

From the article Water shortage: Switzerland’s blue gold is under pressure



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CRo
CRo
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

With each use (hygiene, cleaning, WC, drink) I do it with full awareness because this water is precious and is part of a whole, of a cycle to quench my thirst, clean myself, eliminate and transport my waste and of course refresh myself. This allows me to make good use of it, without having to waste it. For me, it is a gift that must be taken care of even if we are (not yet...) in a critical situation.
Let's not forget that our body contains over 70% water!

A chaque utilisation (hygiène, ménage, WC, boisson) je le fais en pleine conscience car cette eau est précieuse et fait partie d'un tout, d'un cycle pour me désaltérer, me nettoyer, éliminer et transporter mes déchets et bien sûr me rafraîchir. Cela me permet d'en faire bon usage, sans avoir besoin de la gaspiller. Pour moi, c'est un cadeau dont il faut prendre soin même si nous ne sommes (pas encore ...) dans une situation critique.
N'oublions pas que notre corps contient plus de 70% d'eau!

Klaudia Giglio
Klaudia Giglio
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I don't know! I'm just guessing it.
Neutral Switzerland in the middle of Europe. Nest by the water with your hand.
Like in ancient times? There were no lines back then. But unique supply systems even without a pump!
Since WE are not yet extinct, must we be very clever? Odr? At least some of US:)
30/40 years ago I would never have heard anything about SusiQ... nor about SRF:)

Wissen tu ich es nicht! Ich vermute es nur.
Mitten in Europa die neutrale Schweiz. Nestle mit der Hand am Wasser.
Wie in der Antike? Leitungen gab es damals nicht. Aber einzigartige Versorgungssysteme auch ohne Pumpe!
Da WIR noch nicht ausgestorben sind, müssen wir sehr klug sein? Odr? Zumindest einige von UNS :)
Vor 30/40 Jahren hätte ich von SusiQ gar nie etwas erfahren.... und von SRF auch nicht :)

Klaudia Giglio
Klaudia Giglio
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

A great article! Very informative.
I went sailing on Lake Zurich many years ago:) I learned a lot about “water” there. Also in Lauterbrunnen and on the Jungfraujoch...
I experienced real water scarcity and drank “desalinated” water on a sailboat in the Caribbean.
My attitude has changed and I am saving where allowed and made possible! But I've only been able to check this myself since I've even had my own water meter!
I also remember times when the water was simply turned off at 11 o'clock in Italy on some days because there was not enough pressure.
And... in economics:) over 30 years ago. We voluntarily stayed longer in school and our teacher had to free himself from “student” detention:) But we were only 10 “people who wanted to learn”. It's nice that someone else provides very factual information about this. An exchange platform for low-cost retirees with cheap options would be great. I could possibly learn something new? I love to “measure” and check:))) with the new affordable options!

Ein toller Artikel! Sehr informativ.
Ich war vor vielen Jahren am Züri See segeln :) Da habe ich viel gelernt über "Wasser". Auch in Lauterbrunnen und am Jungfraujoch....
Echte Wasserknappheit erlebt und "entsalztes" Wasser getrunken habe ich auf einem Segelboot in der Karibik.
Meine Einstellung hat sich geändert und ich spare wo es mir erlaubt IST und ermöglicht wird! Das kann ich aber erst selbst kontrollieren, seit ich überhaupt einen eigenen Wasserzähler habe!
Ich erinnere mich auch an Zeiten, als in Italien an manchen Tagen das Wasser um 11 Uhr einfach abgestellt wurde, da kein ausreichender Druck vorhanden war.
Und.... an Volkswirtschaftslehre :) vor über 30 Jahren. Wir blieben freiwillig länger in der Schule und unser Lehrer musste sich aus der "Schüler" Haft befreien :) Wir waren aber nur 10 "lernen Wollende". Schön, dass noch jemand darüber sehr sachlich informiert. Eine Austauschplattform für Billigpensionisten mit billigen Möglichkeiten wäre fein. Ich könnte möglicherweise was dazulernen? Ich tu so gerne "messen" und kontrollieren :))) mit den neuen leistbaren Möglichkeiten!

juangarat
juangarat
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

Water is a pseudo-renewable resource because every year its contamination by plastics in micro particles that cannot be eliminated increases, and it must be made potable for drinking but the retention of microplastics is a problem for industrial methods since the coagulation mechanisms for subsequent filtration and retention are circumvented by microplastics.Therefore, there are two problems to be solved for the immediate and medium term future: CARE FOR THE RESOURCE AND AVOID CONTAMINATION WITH INSOLUBLE MICRO SOLIDS AND HEAVY METALS AS IONS OR FORMING PARTIALLY OR TOTALLY SOLUBLE SALTS.Life in large and smaller bodies of water has been modified to its detriment for the same reasons.we are entering a frank degradation of water on the planet with irreversible character!!!! Thank you very much for being able to express what I have experienced as a process engineer in water for drinking and industrial use.

El agua es un recurso pseudo renovable dado que cada año aumenta la contaminación de la misma por plásticos en micro partículas que no pueden eliminarse.El debe ser potabilizada para bebida pero la retención de microplasticos es un problema para los métodos industriales ya que los mecanismos de coagulación para posterior filtración y retención son esquivados por los microplasticos.Por lo tanto existen dos problemas a resolver para el futuro inmediato y mediato: CUIDAR EL RECURSO Y EVITAR LA CONTAMINACION CON MICRO SOLIDOS INSOLUBLES Y CON METALES PESADOS COMO IONES O FORMANDO SALES SOLUBLES PARCIAL O TOTALMENTE.La vida en grandes y menores espejos de Agua se ha visto modificada en su detrimento por las mismas razones.Estamos entrando en una franca degradación del agua en el planeta con carácter irreversible!!!!Muchas gracias por poder expresar lo que he experimentado como ING.de procesos en aguas para bebida y de uso industrial.

fundesarh
fundesarh
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

In the department of Chocó in Colombia, water is not a problem, due to the high rainfall, but the felling of trees and illegal mining, makes that in the future the biodiversity in this area of forests is threatened, it is for this reason that initiatives are being carried out to address this environmental problem that is seen to come in the short term.
We lead the initiative that seeks to reforest and intervene sites in the Chocó with erosion problems, due to the problems described above.
We hope to soon show results measured in hectares of land intervened with the planting of native trees.

En el departamento del Chocó en Colombia, el agua no es un problema, por la pluviosidad tan alta, pero, la tala de arboles y la minería ilegal, hace que a futuro la biodiversidad en esta área de bosques se vea amenazada, es por lo anterior que se están llevando a cabo iniciativas que hagan frente a esta problemática ambiental que se ve venir a corto plazo.
Lideramos la iniciativa que busca reforestar e intervenir sitios en el chocó con problemas de erosión, a causa de los problemas descritos.
Esperamos muy pronto mostrar resultados medidos en hectáreas de tierra intervenidas con la siembra de arboles nativos.

brian wilton
brian wilton

Just had a long period of rain here, and many places flooded. The problem is building on flood planes and low levels, then, insufficient reservoirs.

Rosa Maria
Rosa Maria
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

Decrease the number of showers 2 per week . Decrease the use of the washing machine, washing less, it is not necessary to wash "clean" clothes. Collecting water from washing dishes to clean the floor, or for the toilet. Reducing water for boiling or cooking, water that is then thrown away. Not washing the car until it is really necessary, not buying plants. Brushing your teeth with a glass of water. On rainy days collect water with buckets etc. Use cooking aprons to save ordinary clothes from stains.

Disminuir el número de duchas 2 a la seman. . Disminuir el uso de la lavadora de ropa, lavando menos, no es necesario lavar la ropa "limpia". Recogiendo agua de lavar platos para limpiar el suelo, o para el WC. Reduciendo el agua para hervir o cocinar, agua que despues se tira. No lavar el coche hasta que es realmente necesario.No comprar plantas. Lavar los dientes con un vaso de agua. El dia que llueve recoger agua con cubos etc Uar delantales para cocinar para asi salvar la ropa corriente de manchas.

Annanna
Annanna
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

Try not to have leaks in the hydraulic systems.

Intentar no tener filtraciones en los sistemas hidráulicos

SusieQ
SusieQ

Water is becoming the new gold, Blue gold. The concept of becoming scarcer depends, in my opinion, of the narrative you want to hear. We have so many all over the media, climate change, carbon emissions, overpopulation, etc.

The core problem has been the distribution of it and the industry overuse, just think of the textile industry and the enormous amount of water needed to produce one pair of jeans. Overproduction in agriculture is also responsible and so are chemical industries and many others.
If there were fair regulations, overconsumption fuelled by corporations wouldn't exist and the poorest people in third world countries would have access to safe tap water and proper food.

Let's not forget about the business of bottled water, still one of the fastest growing industries, especially in low income countries where there is no alternative. A total wave of plastic pollution.

Today is about water scarcity, tomorrow they will charge us for the air we breathe.

Luigi Jorio
Luigi Jorio SWI SWISSINFO.CH
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.
@SusieQ

Good morning SusieQ thank you for your comment. Industry, commerce and agriculture are the sectors that consume the most water, but we should not forget that households, so all of us directly, also have a not insignificant impact on water resources. In Switzerland, for example, households account for [url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/water-shortage--switzerland-s-blue-gold-is-under-pressure/48578804]25 percent of water consumption[/url]a. Technological development and innovation will help us reduce our water footprint--I'm thinking, for example, of systems that reuse wastewater--but we will not be able to remedy water scarcity without profoundly revising our modes of production (of food, textiles, ...), extraction and consumption.

Buongiorno SusieQ grazie per il suo commento. L'industria, il commercio e l'agricoltura sono i settori che consumano più acqua, ma non dobbiamo dimenticare che anche le economie domestiche, quindi noi tutti direttamente, hanno un impatto non irrilevante sulle risorse idriche. In Svizzera, ad esempio, le economie domestiche sono all'origine del [url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/water-shortage--switzerland-s-blue-gold-is-under-pressure/48578804]25% del consumo di acqu[/url]a. Lo sviluppo tecnologico e l'innovazione ci aiuteranno a ridurre la nostra impronta idrica – penso ad esempio ai sistemi che riutilizzano le acque reflue – ma non riusciremo a ovviare alla scarsità idrica senza rivedere profondamente i nostri modi produttivi (di cibo, di tessili, ...), estrattivi e di consumo.

Seashell-Ächerli
Seashell-Ächerli
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

We drink only wine. We think it is the most rational measure to safeguard the water problems that beset humanity. I suggest a popular consultation on this matter. Salut

Nosotros bebemos solo vino. Pensamos que es la medida mas racional para salvaguardar los problemas del agua que acechan a la humanidad. Sugiero una consulta popular al respecto. Salut

GianLuca
GianLuca
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

I try to use responsibly and wisely. In my region fortunately the water problem is not as severe as in other Italian regions. Unfortunately, the Italian water network needs to be remoderated. One example out of all icirca 30-40% of drinking water is lost from the water network. By the way, there is a low-cost method to recycle polluted water efficiently and economically used in those countries that do not have mountains and glaciers, but as usual in Italy it is not even considered.

Cerco di utilizzare in modo responsabile e oculato. Nella mia regione fortuntamente il problema acqua non è così grave come in altre regioni italiane. Purtroppo la rete idrica italiana deve essere rimoderanta. Un esempio su tutti icirca 30-40% dell'acqua potabile vine dispersa dalla rete idrica. Esiste tra l'altro un metodo a besso costo per riciclare le acque inquinate efficente e d economico utilizzato sa quei Paesi che non ganno montagne e ghiacciai ma come al solito in Italia non viene neanche preso in considerazione.

Thomas Knight
Thomas Knight

I live in Las Vegas, which is a desert in the United States. We have been in a drought for 10 years and our reservoirs at about 30% capacity.

Las Vegas has done an awesome job conserving water. All "used" water that goes down a drain is treated and reused. Watering of lawns, and types of landscaping are restricted. There has been tiered pricing for water. This means the price per gallon increases based on how many gallons are used. They will even cut off a person's water supply if they use too much water.

The water from the reservoir system is shared between hundreds of entities. The water allocation was originally calculated at a wet time in our history, and entities weren't using their full allocation. Now that we are in a drought the river system doesn't have enough water to sustain the usage. Some entities continue to grow crops that consume lots of water. For example there is lots of alfalfa grown for shipment to Saudi Arabia. It is used to feed cattle in Saudi and it consumes a lot of water.

I hope the drought goes away, because I do not think all parties will agree to take the steps necessary to save the reservoir system.

Mutsumi Saitoh
Mutsumi Saitoh
The following contribution has been automatically translated from JA.

There is not much we can do on a daily basis, but we can reduce waste by being mindful. Do not leave the water running. Save water after washing your face or washing dishes and flush it down the toilet.

Rainwater can be used more ingeniously. However, there is an issue of sanitation.

We could devise ways to use water for drinking, washing, showering, and flushing toilets differently.

日々できることは多くはないが、心がけで無駄を減らすことはできる。水を流しっぱなしにしない。洗顔後の水や食器を洗った水をためておいてトイレに流す。

雨水の利用はもっと工夫できるのではないか。ただし衛生面の課題がある。

飲み水、洗い水、シャワーの水、トイレに流す水、それらの水を使い分ける工夫もできるのではないか。

Monsieur
Monsieur
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

we only flush when really necessary.

nous ne tirons la chasse d'eau que lorsque c'est vraiment nécessaire.

Susi
Susi
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I live in the country for over 10 years in southern Andalusia (semi-desert) where we get zero rain until 8 months a year. Male visitors I ask to pee on the finca under the trees. Women, please do not flush every time after peeing. Under the (short) shower in the morning to pee at the same time. Of course turn off water when brushing teeth, soaping up, etc. When washing dishes, 2 basins, and only with (little) organic soap to be able to give the water to the land. Unfortunately, no more vegetable garden because of, just, lack of water. For decoration, only succulents - cacti, agaves, aloes, etc. I lived in Ecuador, where, however, there is enough water, but far too little drinking water - there I made it genauso....

Ich lebe auf dem Land seit über 10 Jahren in Süd-Andalusien (Halb-Wüste), wo wir bis 8 Monate im Jahr null Regen bekommen. Männlicher Besuch bitte ich auf der Finca unter den Bäumen zu pinkeln. Frauen, bitte nicht bei jedem Mal nach dem Pinkeln spülen. Unter der (kurzen) Dusche morgens gleichzeitig pinkeln. Selbstverständlich Wasser abdrehen bei Zähneputzen, einseifen, usw. Beim Geschirrspülen, 2 Becken, und nur mit (wenig) Bioseife um das Wasser aufs Land geben zu können. Leider kein Gemüsegarten mehr wegen, eben, Wassermangel. Zur Dekoration, nur noch Sukkulenten - Kakteen, Agaven, Aloës, usw. Ich lebte in Ecuador, wo es allerdings genügend Wasser gibt, aber viel zu wenig Trinkwasser - dort machte ich es genauso....

Anona
Anona

Well we shall stop looking for water on the moon and start working on the one we have left on planet earth. What do I do to save water? I lived in Mexico (desert area) for 7 years. You definitely learn how to save water. You stop the water while you shampoo your hair, max 5 mins showers, cold showers are faster, Every house has a container for limited amount of water that is filled in once per day. So you better learn to use wisely every single drop of it. No dishwashers, no washing machines, no swimming pools, no fancy plants and gardens, just simple grass and trees that do not consume much water. You brush your teeth with one small cup of water. The expression of “running water” does not exist. You do not let water run ever, you keep it all inside as much as possible, and so on 😋

MVB
MVB
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

If you want to use less water for washing, the most direct way is to atomize the water at low pressure. For soft water the result is very good. If the water is hard, it is necessary to clean the small perforations of the atomizer, if a transducer that emits ultrasonic vibration were available, cleaning would be limited to removing the solids carried by the water, which is low cost.

Si se desea consumir menos agua para lavar, la manera más directa es atomizar el agua a baja presión. Para aguas blandas el resultado es muy bueno. Si el agua es dura, se requiere limpiar las pequeñas perforaciones del atomizador, si se dispusiera de un transductor que emita vibración ultrasónica, la limpieza se limitaría a eliminar los sólidos acarreados por el agua lo cual es de bajo costo.

Ktyzinha
Ktyzinha
The following contribution has been automatically translated from PT.

Hello!

We are hostage of a terrible water management by the public authorities of Salvador (BA) that let all the rivers of the city become sewers, besides not having adequate wastewater treatment plants with the exponential increase of the population in the last 15 years. Suddenly, almost 50% billed by the government company EMBASA corresponds to sewage charges....

I try to do my part by reclaiming rainwater for use in bathrooms, showers, jacuzzi, kitchen sink and washing machine. I only use street water for consumption, after proper filtering.

Cheers.

Olá!

Nós somos refém de uma péssima gestão da água pelos poderes públicos de Salvador (BA) que deixaram todos os rios da cidade virarem esgotos, além de não ter fábricas de tratamento de águas usadas adequadas com o aumento exponencial da população nos 15 últimos anos. De repente, quase 50% faturado pela empresa governamental EMBASA corresponde à taxa de esgoto...

Eu tento fazer minha parte, recuperando as águas pluviais para uso nos banheiros, duchas, jacuzzi, pia da cozinha e máquina de lavar. Uso só a água da rua para consumo, após devido filtragem.

Abraço.

trilbies
trilbies

I Live in Scoltand, water shortages? What water shortages!?

PATROCLO
PATROCLO
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

I would like to conclude these interventions of mine on the theme ... "what are we doing to consume less Water "
Where I come from we say :
only one thing makes Water gush out of dry lakes and then sends it upward from the bottom to the top,
from the valley to the mountain....

MONEY.

greetings to Dr. IORIO and all the Users

Vorrei concludere questi miei interventi sul tema ..."cosa stiamo facendo per consumare meno Acqua "
Dalle mie parti si dice :
solo una cosa fa sgorgare l'Acqua dai laghi asciutti e poi la manda all'insù dal basso verso l'alto,
dalla valle alla montagna....

I SOLDI.

saluto al dott. IORIO e a tutti gli Utenti

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR