Are Swiss roadside water taps safe to drink from?
A traveler named Senuduk is planning a trip to Switzerland, specifically exploring areas like Lauterbrunnen, Murren, Wengen, and Grindelwald. They want to know if it's safe to drink water from roadside troughs that look like they might be used by cattle. The advice from other travelers confirms that it's generally safe to drink from these sources.
- Feel free to drink from roadside water troughs, as the water is often potable and even encouraged to use.
- Check for signs indicating 'Kein Trinkwasser' to ensure water safety.
- Many Swiss villages have public drinking fountains with safe drinking water.
AI-generated summary-
Hello!
I have read that in Switzerland it is safe to drink water straight from the tap. I presume that’s referring to taps in hotels & restaurants. My question is whether it is also safe to drink straight from those roadside water troughs? It’s like a constantly flowing stream of water from a faucet into a carved out wooden log (a trough). I’m asking because it kinda looks like what cattle might drink from (no offence). I’ve seen it in YouTube travel logs of hikes around Lauterbrunnen/Murren/Wengen/Grindelwald which are the places where we will be exploring.
Thank you in advance
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Hi Senuduk,
I spent 3 days in Wengen, and each morning when I set out for the day, I filled my two (saved/re-used) plastic bottles at the same carved out ‘trough’ to which you are referring, right up the hill from the train station. It was always cold and I had no problems what so ever (except, maybe, for keeping it cold). It is even encouraged, and as such, is potable. I did the same in Zermatt, right across from the church. So feel free to drink it. ( I wouldn’t necessarily scoop it out of the trough, rather, just fill it right from the spigot itself.) Have a great trip.
Regards,
Danielsan
Hi Senuduk,
Water fountains or public drinking fountains can be found everywhere in Switzerland. The water is safe to drink unless otherwise indicated as Kein Trinkwasser (literally Not drinking water).
Regards,
Anna
There are many drinking fountains in Switzerland with the water pouring into the trough below. Especially in villages and towns, the water from the ‘tap’ is usually drinkable as it often comes from springs etc. On more rural paths, there may be a few places where water comes out of a field stream – these may be more intended for animals than people – it is usually up to personal judgement for this type of water supply
Thank you very much Danielsan, Anna & 1960man for your advice
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