In the 1960s, the Swiss had some of the dirtiest water in Europe. Raw sewage and wastewater flowed directly into the country's rivers and lakes. People were banned from wild swimming. At this time, only 14% of the population were connected to a wastewater treatment plant. A Zermatt typhoid outbreak in 1963, caused the Swiss to re-evaluate their water treatment systems. Now, 98% are connected to a wastewater treatment plant. Switzerland now has a reputation for pristine swimming waters. In 2022, the Swiss government spent circa £174 per person on wastewater treatment. This compares with about £90 per person in England and Wales. In 2016, Switzerland became the first country to enforce legislation to clean up drugs (e.g. antibiotics, antidepressants, and anti-inflammatories) and chemicals (including 'forever chemicals' or PFAs). A considerable amount of money is being spent to remove these potentially damaging materials, Wastewater plants across Switzerland are being upgraded (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/17/from-sewage-and-scum-to-swimming-in-blue-gold-how-switzerland-transformed-its-waterways-aoe).This is in stark contrast with the UK, where in 2024, Thames Water let a record 50% more raw sewage flow into rivers (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/mar/18/thames-water-data-reveals-raw-sewage-discharges-rivers-2024). Rich countries can have clean water but it has to be paid for. Stupid countries let folk make monopoly money profits by not treating the filth.
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