Switzerland is often referred to as the water tower of Europe. Yet even here, water is not always readily available everywhere. More frequent dry periods, rising temperatures, melting glaciers and changing precipitation patterns are creating new challenges for water management.

The current public debate shows just how relevant this issue has become. On August 24, 2026, 20 Minuten reported on increasing water scarcity and potential solutions in an article titled “Switzerland’s Water Tower Is Crumbling – But There Are Solutions”.[1]

The Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) also warns of this development. According to current climate and hydrological scenarios, regional water scarcity is expected to occur more frequently in the future. This will affect not only agriculture, drinking water supplies and ecosystems, but also industry.[2]

Using Water More Efficiently

Water is essential for numerous industrial processes. It is used for cleaning, cooling and rinsing, for example, or directly as process water.

At the same time, this gives industry significant potential to use water more sustainably: water does not necessarily have to be discharged after a single use.

Depending on the process and requirements, used water can be treated and reused. This makes it possible to establish internal water cycles, reduce freshwater consumption and minimize wastewater streams.

Turning Wastewater into a Resource

The treatment required depends on the composition of the water, the required level of purity and its intended further use.

Various technologies are available for this purpose, including reverse osmosis, demineralization, UV and ozone treatment, and vacuum evaporation. Depending on the application, different treatment processes can also be combined.

The key is a change in perspective: wastewater is not simply something that needs to be treated and disposed of. Under the right conditions, the water it contains can become a valuable resource again.

Thinking in Water Cycles

Increasing water scarcity cannot be addressed with a single measure. Solutions are needed at different levels, along with a more conscious approach to managing available water resources.

As a provider of industrial water and wastewater treatment solutions, Aquaren aims to contribute to this effort. We support companies in using water more efficiently, treating wastewater effectively and identifying opportunities for water reuse.

Because water is too valuable to simply be discarded.

Sources

[1] 20 Minuten: Das «Wasserschloss Schweiz» bröckelt – doch es gibt Lösungen, 24. August 2026.

[2] Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU: Trockenheit – die Schweiz muss ihr Wassermanagement stärken, 20. August 2026.

[3] Netzwerk Anpassung an den Klimawandel: Management der Wasserressourcen hinsichtlich Trockenheit, Empfehlung, August 2026.