With beautiful alpine surrounding, Zermatt has over 50 lakes and almost 100 springs. In other words, Zermatt is a water paradise. In summer, lakes, rivers, and streams are waiting to be discovered. The water in Zermatt is top quality, therefore in the village, you can sample the water from the fountains.
There are rushes and gurgles everywhere in Zermatt. On glaciers, in meadows, over rocks and cliffs. In Zermatt, the cold glacier water of Arbenbach Fall in the Zmutt area cascades in a graceful arc over a rocky outcrop. In the Gorner Gorge, the icy waters of the Gornera thunder down to Zermatt village allowing people to enjoy the apline waters.
Until the 18th century, Zermatt was called “Prato Borni”, which means “meadows in an area of springs”. The name Zermatt first appeared in record dated 1831. Zermatt has 94 springs in 13 spring zones and 4 mountain streams merge in the municipal district such as the Gornera, Triftbach, Zmuttbach and Findelbach. All streams, whether large or small, with or without a name, shape Zermatt’s image and acoustics. In winter, ice-falls with their icicles shimmer on the surrounding cliffs in the cold air. In spring, the rushing sound of streams feed from the blanket of snow can be heard again. But water is not only beautiful to look at but also shapes the landscape. Most of the erosion in the mountain landscape is caused by water. In winter, as ice that cracks apart rock and stones, in summer as the force that transports boulders, gravel and sand down to the valley.
Currently Zermatt has over 50 mountain lakes. This number can vary as the mountain landscape is constantly changing. For those of you who wants to look at the superb landscape should follow the Five Lakes Trail where you can view the Stellisee lake, which mirrors the Matterhorn when there is no wind. At the Leisee lake on Sunegga, children can roam around, play in the water, take an adventurous ride on a raft or build a dam. In the meantime, parents can prepare a tasty barbecue for the family picnic and marvel at the view of the Matterhorn.
Thanks to its wealth of water, Zermatt has 100% self sufficient supply of pure spring water. The drinking water is excellent quality. This is substantiated by the available laboratory results. Since 2010, Zermatt has exclusive spring water added to drinking water supply. The water is not only pure but has refreshing and excellent taste. The reason for this is because the water that flows from the taps are at only 4 degrees Celsius and the water supply pipes are very short. Zermatt water is also very soft because it primarily flows through crystalline rock such as granite and does not pick up minerals but contains calcium and sulfate from the rocks. Also the water in Zermatt contains virtually no nitrate as the mountain slopes are little used for agriculture. So, when you’re in Zermatt, try drinking the water. It is better than most of the mineral water that is on sale and it’s absolutely fresh and bracing.
