The Federal Department of Defense lists 2,076 sites polluted by the Swiss army. Some 230 sites must be cleaned up, the Viola Amherd department said Thursday in a report in response to a postulate from National.
In total, 4,542 potentially polluted sites have so far been the subject of investigations and among the 2,076 polluted sites, 958 require prior investigation and 19 are considered to be in need of monitoring. There are 118 contaminated sites that have already been remediated.
Army activities may pollute soil, ground and surface water, or air. In order to reduce environmental damage, the Federal Department of Defense (DDPS) is taking measures. The sites are monitored and remediated if necessary.
Water protection
The investigations carried out on the sites located in the groundwater protection zone will be completed at the end of the year, specifies the DDPS. Analyzes will be carried out by 2025 in disused sites located in a water protection sector.
Final storage sites, operating areas and accident sites in these areas will be investigated by 2028. Investigations of such sites in groundwater protection zones have already been completed. The remaining sites will be investigated by 2032, with the exception of areas still being exploited.
Four action plans with 54 measures
The DDPS is also committed to limiting land use and preserving crop rotation areas. It also says it is doing everything possible to clean up polluted sites listed in the land registry. To protect the environment, it has launched four action plans (air, water, soil and training) accompanied by 54 measures, it states in a press release.
To preserve the air, it is committed to building and operating its buildings while limiting harmful emissions and to acquiring less polluting vehicles and fuels. As well as replacing fossil fuel heating systems with less polluting installations.
DDPS operates its own sewage treatment plants and water supply facilities. He says he limits the troop’s activities in water protection zones as much as possible, regularly checks the condition of its installations and guarantees the training of qualified personnel.
Over the coming months, leftover army munitions dumped in Swiss lakes will be analyzed. These controls are carried out to improve knowledge and examine possible environmental impacts.
ats/boi
