However,
Geneva: difficult sanction rivers polluters:
ThoseEnvironment in Geneva
Why is it so difficult to sanction rivers polluters
The year 2025 experienced an incident record. Nevertheless, But it is complicated to identify managers: votes denounce weaknesses in the application of the pollution monitoring protocol.
The area was polluted in early April. However, The investigation is undergoing its course, but it could be a cleaning company.
DR
- Geneva rivers have undergone ten major pollution since April 2024, the last of which took place on Friday.
- The surveys are struggling to identify managers of aquatic contamination.
- The state plans to geneva: difficult sanction rivers polluters increase fines, up to 100,000 francs.
- Surveillance of rainwater networks will be reinforced in industrial zones.
Ten pollution in three months. Moreover, Damage suffered by rivers in Geneva since April does not end. However, Still Friday. Moreover, three beaches were closed in avengeron and Chambésy, After a worn water spill due to a faulty manifold.
This week. For example, the Federation of Geneva Fishing Companies (FSPG) filed a new criminal denunciation, against the GIS and their agent, the company Orllati: two pollution linked to their site occurred in early July in the Rhône. However, in this type of case, the convictions are rare. For example, And for some observers, investigations are incomplete.
Three criminal procedures are currently open after pollution in rivers, the prosecution said. Consequently, The first occurred in the area on geneva: difficult sanction rivers polluters April 1. In addition, A caustic soda spill at the industrial area of Plan-les-Ouates, via a rainwater collector, decimated the fish population. Furthermore, While initial information pointed to a laundry, it would be another cleaning company, according to our information. Meanwhile, Given the current investigation, the prosecution does not comment.
The second procedure concerns the pollution of the Seymaz on May 13. In addition, That day. Meanwhile, a product (probably an insecticide) passed in the water from a outlet, touching the river for almost a kilometer. Similarly, Forty kilos of fish have succumbed. For example, There too, following a criminal denunciation deposited by the Cantonal Water Office (OCEAU), an investigation is underway.
However, it is not the only time this year that this river was affected. Meanwhile, Two weeks later, rebelote: 15 kilos of fish die. Moreover, geneva: difficult sanction rivers polluters A third event took place in early July, which seems to be a paint spill, according to our information.
Finally, the last procedure in progress concerns the pollution of the Rhône, on June 24 and 26. However, The driving of a machine of a site has broken and dumped 70 liters of hydrocarbons. Moreover, Two days later, despite a change of pipe, 140 liters of biodegradable oil land in the river. Nevertheless, The reason for this double incident? Consequently, Contacted, the SIGs refer to the public prosecutor.
Geneva: difficult sanction rivers polluters
Complicated surveys
However, the surveys carried out after pollution are complex. Consequently, The protocol in force wants first. Moreover, off to be immediately dispatched to the scene, in this case the fire and rescue service (located). But that is not always enough: “Some pollution geneva: difficult sanction rivers polluters is” fast “, says the director of the Oceau, Guillaume Pierrehumbert. We sometimes cannot identify the pollutant because it has already been diluted or has passed too downstream. ”
Another difficulty is the complexity to detect certain products. Several samples must be taken. upstream and downstream of pollution also, but that does not always work even if the methods are evolving.
“And there is of course the difficulty of raising the rainwater networks. since it is often by this way that the products reach rivers,” continues the manager. To find which plot. grid the criminal product would have been poured, when you know that there are more than 70,000 regards In Geneva, it is sometimes a real headache. ”
The April Nant also underwent pollution.
DR
Faced with these pitfalls, the convictions are rare. According to justice figures, six procedures were opened for violation of the Federal Water Protection Act from 2020 to 2024. They all gave rise to classification orders or non-entry orders. No conviction, therefore.
At the administrative level, a heavier sanction (fine) was enacted by the OCEAU in 2025. Others will follow after recent accident pollution. A rupture of driving during a site in particular contaminated the water from avengeron and pregny-chambesy in early June.
Raised gaps
However. some environmental observers have noted dysfunctions in the way in which the investigations are carried out to identify those responsible. On the Seymaz side, witnesses tell us about the insufficient samples taken after one of the pollution. And a lack of equipment suitable for intervening.
During the pollution in the Nant of April on April 10. the first stakeholders would have stayed only a few minutes for the investigations, said an observer. During pollution occurred on the Rhône on May 26. downstream from the Butin Bridge, the intervention would have delayed “because of a lack of responsiveness of those responsible,” notes a witness. No product has been detected.
“The pollution monitoring protocol does not work, the samples are not made of sufficient, or quickly enough,” notes geneva: difficult sanction rivers polluters a fisherman. These pollution worry me but above all behind the decor. There are dysfunctions in the field. “
The state. it claims that it is hard to anticipate often accidental pollution, which can even come from neighboring France, as in 2023. Following the technical problems that occurred in the STEP. the network of wastewater of the agglomeration of Annemasse, fecal bacteria had contaminated the Arve.
Technical measures are however in project. The creation of protection systems on rainwater networks (storage basins) mainly in industrial areas. in order to retain certain pollutants that can be detected by automatic probes in networks before they reach watercourses.
The oceau. for its part, says constantly refine its surveillance system, “because there are also chronic pollution due, for example, to bad connections, with wastewater that are geneva: difficult sanction rivers polluters found in rainwater”, indicates its director. Dozens of administrative measures are imposed each year for this type of case (Read opposite).
The fish found dead in the area, up to Plan-les-Ouates.
DR
Geneva: difficult sanction rivers polluters
Behavioral problems
If the pressure of companies. sites and factories plays a role, since they can use highly toxic products, it is above all a question of behavior, indicates the canton. “We all represent a risk. that is why it is important that everyone is trying to respect the best possible behaviors.”
In the absence of a means to reduce industrial pressure, the canton geneva: difficult sanction rivers polluters plans to bet on awareness. The campaign “Oh my water!” (Oh my water! ge.ch) will be reinforced in view of the many recent pollution. Geneva will also probably join the countryside Aquava – under each grid hides a riverfor the same reasons. These operations will also be adapted to certain specific audiences, such as companies and pool owners.
But the pressure will also be intensified on polluters. Today, fines can reach 60,000 francs. The project to revise the Water Act) under construction at the Grand Council, wants to increase them to 100,000 francs. Offenders are also risking up to 3 years of deprivation of freedom.
Indeed. “the costs related to pollution are often very significant depending on the type of damage to the environment, relates the bill. The amount must therefore be adapted and be proportional geneva: difficult sanction rivers polluters to the real or potential damage suffered. ”
For fishermen. defenders of aquatic environments, companies responsible for pollution should also repair damage with concrete actions promoting biodiversity, and not only by paying fines. One of them comments: “The human pressure that increases on rivers highlights the administrative shortcomings that remain.”
Little reliable statistics
As sources of pollution. the authors are not systematically found, it is difficult for the State to give reliable statistics on the number of pollution that occurred in Geneva.
What we know is that since 1is January 2024. the SIS received 160 calls concerning a potential pollution of water, 61 since the beginning of 2025. Among these a dozen with an infringement of the moderate. strong environment, and a third of them with a fish mortality. geneva: difficult sanction rivers polluters Incidents are therefore mainly concentrated in the past three months.
And earlier? The state did not provide us with the data because it did not previously have a coherent data management system. The comparison is therefore not possible, he says.
“Latest news”
Do you want to stay at the top of the info? “Tribune de Genève” offers you two meetings per day, directly in your e-mailbox. To not miss anything of what is happening in your canton, Switzerland or in the world.
Other newsletters
Did you find an error? Please report it to us.
Further reading: Theodora unleashes Montreux Jazz Festival – Global warming is getting the gravity of eczema, but there is hope – The EU adopts the “most severe” sanctions ever taken against Russia and aims for oil … – A Brusselsise benefited from social housing and social allowances … while she worked as a lawyer in Morocco since 2003 – course, timetables, favorites and curiosities of the twelfth stage.
