Around 1,500 households in the Saanenmöser, Schönried and Gruben areas were affected last week after a local drinking water source became contaminated, most likely by slurry runoff from agricultural activity near Horneggli.

According to the Municipality of Saanen, the incident occurred on Tuesday, 19 May, when liquid manure (Gülle) is believed to have entered a spring feeding the local water supply. The contamination was traced back to work carried out by a farmer in the Horneggli area, where a slurry tank had reportedly been emptied.

Although the release took place outside the official groundwater protection zone, the contaminated water appears to have reached a drinking water source nonetheless. Authorities are still investigating how this was possible. The Cantonal Police and its specialist environmental division have launched an inquiry, though no conclusions have yet been published.

The municipality reacted immediately once the contamination was identified. Residents were informed through multiple communication channels, including leaflets distributed directly in the affected areas. The local water network was flushed and treated with chlorine as a precaution, while the water supply's disinfection system was operated at full capacity.

So far, no illnesses among residents or damage to fish stocks have been reported. According to the municipality, both microbiological and chemical tests carried out since the incident have shown no further irregularities.

An additional water sample was sent to the cantonal laboratory for further analysis, with results expected shortly after the original announcement last Friday.

For the time being, precautionary measures remain in effect. Residents are still advised to boil tap water before consumption and to flush internal household pipes by running all taps for several minutes.

Based on AvS | Sonja Wolf