Starting with the origin of Switzerland's abundant water resources, the high amount of precipitation in the Alps, the web portal explains relevant hydrological, water management, social and environmental aspects of water.more

Image: thomasfuer, photocase.demore

Principal types of Aquifers

Switzerland is rich in groundwater. Groundwater resources occur almost everywhere, both in unconsolidated rock and fissured or karstified rock. Groundwater is contained in aquifers, i.e. permeable bodies of rock, often with very small cavities (pores), that can store water.

Hydrogeological sketch of Switzerland
Hydrogeological sketch of SwitzerlandImage: BAFU
Unconsolidated aquifers
Image: BAFU

Unconsolidated aquifers ©FOEN


Fissured aquifers
Image: BAFU

Fissured aquifers ©FOEN


Karstified aquifers
Image: BAFU

Karstified aquifers ©FOEN