A new reservoir for Walterswil's spring water

The Don Bosco Foundation officially launched the renewal and expansion of its water supply in Walterswil last Monday.
 

Representatives of the Don Bosco Foundation Walterswil, participating companies, and guests gathered near the existing reservoir. Following a brief welcome and address, the symbolic ground-breaking ceremony took place. Josef Annen, former Vicar General of Zurich, performed the blessing.

The foundation owns the large school complex in Walterswil, which is used by the International School of Zug and Lucerne (ISZL). Unfortunately, there have been occasional instances of water contamination In recent years. Although the foundation stated that the twice-yearly cantonal inspections had revealed no issues, it nevertheless wanted to have the situation investigated more thoroughly. A study carried out in 2021 concluded that all the water supply facilities were in need of renovation.

In 2022, the foundation's board therefore decided to continue ensuring the supply with its own spring water. The decision to implement the project was finally made in mid-2024, in close cooperation with the Baar-Dorf Corporation and the Office for Forests and Wildlife (Amt für Wald und Wild). The foundation expressed its gratitude for this collaboration at the groundbreaking ceremony. This was emphasised by board president René Zihlmann and Paul Langenegger, the foundation's head of construction.

Watering the foundation (from left): Josef Annen, Manuel Frei, Patrik Langenegger, René Zihlmann, Paul Langenegger, Hedi Wismer, and Philipp Derungs.         Photo: Dominik Wunderli

Connected to the WWZ (Waterworks Zug)
The new reservoir is being built approximately 70 metres east of the existing site and, like the previous one, will have a capacity of 180 cubic metres of water. The reservoir pipeline will be renewed over a length of approximately 345 metres. A new process control system will enable state-of-the-art monitoring and automated control in the future. A feed shaft was also constructed in 2024, connecting to the Zug Waterworks company (WWZ).

Water has a long history in Walterswil. The monastic complex was built starting in 1692 on behalf of Wettingen Abbey, and was once the only spa in the Canton of Zug. The current renovation aims to continue this tradition in a modern form: as a reliable supply of its own spring water for drinking, process, and firefighting purposes.