In what situations is the mobile water purifier activated?

The system is activated in the event of bacteriological contamination of the water, serious failures in the water network or natural events that compromise the supply (floods, landslides). It is not designed to treat chemical contaminants, but only pathogens such as bacteria and microparticles.

How long does the water produced by the system last?

Treated water has a shelf life limited only by the container used. Once dispensed, it can be stored in clean bottles or jerrycans for **5-7 days**, as long as it is stored away from light and heat. After this period, it is advisable to boil it or use it for non-food uses.

Can I use water from the water purifier for cooking?

Yes, the water produced by the plant is **completely drinkable** and suitable for both drinking and cooking. During the presentation, it was drunk directly from the tap without further treatment, confirming its safety.

What happens if I live in a municipality without distribution points?

In case of emergency, the Civil Protection will activate **mobile tanks** which will be positioned in the most isolated municipalities. The population will be informed through sirens, social media and institutional sites on the exact distribution points. It is important to follow the official instructions to avoid queues or gatherings.

How many people can the plant serve in an hour?

The plant has a capacity of **24 cubic meters per hour**, which corresponds to about **200 thousand liters**. In practical terms, it can meet the water needs of **about 200 people per day** (considering 120 liters per person), but distribution depends on the logistical organization in the field.

Drinking water emergency: Ticino unveils new mobile water treatment plant (cross-border guide)

Di Marco Ferrari · Published on 18 April 2026

Mobile water treatment unit operating on the Maggia River in Locarno. Yellow intake hoses and blue output pipes visible, with clean water being delivered to a tank.

The canton is investing CHF 260,000 in a mobile plant to ensure safe drinking water in case of contamination or system failures. The facility can produce up to 24 m³ of safe water per hour, enough for 200,000 people.

Context

TL;DR

Ticino unveils mobile water treatment plant
24 cubic meters of water treated per hour
260,000 francs invested in the project
System ready for emergencies and contamination

Key facts

Treatment capacity: Up to 24 cubic metres per hour
Investment: 260,000 francs
Cantons with systems: Ticino, Vaud, Valais
Emergency scenarios: Bacteriological contamination and natural disasters
Intervention time: Immediate, with distribution within a few hours
Distribution methods: Direct networks and mobile tankers
Emergency activation: Via official websites, social media, emergency sirens, and Alertswiss app

Today, Ticino unveiled its new mobile drinking water treatment plant operated by the Civil Protection agency. The device can convert non-potable water into safe drinking water, with a treatment capacity of up to 24 cubic metres per hour. The investment amounts to 260,000 francs, placing the canton among the few in Switzerland to have such a system, alongside Vaud and Valais.

During the demonstration, Flaviano Bettoni from the Military and Civil Protection Section explained how it works: >'The basin simulates water intake with the pump. The water to be purified, indicated by the yellow pipe, reaches the treatment unit where five microfiltration filters make it drinkable. The treated water exits through the blue pipes and can be distributed via taps or tanks.' The process removes bacteria and microparticles but does not eliminate chemical contamination.

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Operational details

For cross-border workers and Ticino residents, this system represents an additional safeguard in the event of emergencies that could threaten the water supply. Before the introduction of this mobile plant, in critical situations such as floods or contamination, the population relied solely on the often slow and uncertain recovery capacity of local networks.

Before vs after: what changes

📊

Aspect	Before the mobile plant	With the new plant
Intervention time	48-72 hours for network restoration	Immediate, with distribution within a few hours
Treatment capacity	Limited to local resources	24 m³/hour, sufficient for 200,000 people
Type of emergency	Only network failures or drought	Bacteriological contamination and natural disasters
Distribution	Dependent on scarce emergency tankers	Direct networks and mobile tankers

The device is designed to intervene in cases of bacteriological contamination, such as the incident during the 2020 flood in Locarno, when rivers and groundwater were contaminated by pathogens. In such situations, drinking water becomes a precious commodity, and its rapid availability can make the difference between a manageable crisis and a public health emergency.

⚠️ Concrete scenarios for cross-border workers Cross-border commuters residing in Ticino and living in isolated areas — such as Vallemaggia or Riviera — directly benefit from this plant. In the event of road closures or community isolation, having access to safe distribution points avoids resorting to makeshift solutions, such as purchasing overpriced bottled water at border shops.

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Key points

For citizens and cross-border workers who want to know how to access drinking water in an emergency, Ticino's civil protection has established a clear procedure. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Identifying distribution points

In the event of an emergency, the population will be informed via:

Official websites (Department of Territory, Civil Protection)
Social media (official TicinoNews, Ticino Civil Protection accounts)
Emergency sirens and voice messages
Alert apps such as Alertswiss

Distribution points will be marked with specific signage and set up in accessible areas, such as municipal parking lots or main squares.

2. Distribution methods

Drinking water can be collected in two ways:

Direct tap points: dispensing stations with taps to fill bottles or jerrycans
Mobile cisterns: distribution via tankers in isolated neighbourhoods or villages

It is recommended to bring clean, sanitised containers for transporting water.

3. Emergency duration and procedures

The activation of the system depends on the severity of the event. In the case of bacterial contamination, distribution will continue until the public water network is restored. Civil Protection will continuously monitor water quality through the cantonal laboratory.

4. What to bring with you

If you are in a risk zone, it is useful to have:

Reusable bottles (at least 5 litres per person)
Storage jerrycans (up to 20 litres)
Hand sanitiser (to disinfect containers)

📊 Beware of fake news During emergencies, unverified information often circulates on social media. Civil Protection urges you to follow only official sources and not to spread unconfirmed news.

💡 Useful tools for cross-border workers For those who want to stay up to date on emergency procedures in Ticino, we recommend:

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Frequently Asked Questions

In what situations is the mobile water purifier activated?: The system is activated in the event of bacteriological contamination of the water, serious failures in the water network or natural events that compromise the supply (floods, landslides). It is not designed to treat chemical contaminants, but only pathogens such as bacteria and microparticles.
How long does the water produced by the system last?: Treated water has a shelf life limited only by the container used. Once dispensed, it can be stored in clean bottles or jerrycans for **5-7 days**, as long as it is stored away from light and heat. After this period, it is advisable to boil it or use it for non-food uses.
Can I use water from the water purifier for cooking?: Yes, the water produced by the plant is **completely drinkable** and suitable for both drinking and cooking. During the presentation, it was drunk directly from the tap without further treatment, confirming its safety.
What happens if I live in a municipality without distribution points?: In case of emergency, the Civil Protection will activate **mobile tanks** which will be positioned in the most isolated municipalities. The population will be informed through sirens, social media and institutional sites on the exact distribution points. It is important to follow the official instructions to avoid queues or gatherings.
How many people can the plant serve in an hour?: The plant has a capacity of **24 cubic meters per hour**, which corresponds to about **200 thousand liters**. In practical terms, it can meet the water needs of **about 200 people per day** (considering 120 liters per person), but distribution depends on the logistical organization in the field.