“I would love to do it again from time to time: standing in a trench and installing pipes,” says Christoph Scheuber, operations manager at Stans Water Supply in the canton of Nidwalden. You could say that this is a man who puts his heart and soul into his work. His connection to water is palpable. Combined with his in-depth technical knowledge, this is a good starting point for managing a water supply network for 11,000 people.

He learned his trade from his mentor back then. “He gave me the ‘right push’ at the right moment when I was young.” It was also his boss who introduced him to trench digging and the world of water and ultimately sent him to fountain master school. Among other things, the plumbing company was responsible for the water supply in Ennetmoos, Canton of Nidwalden. And Scheuber, who grew up in this municipality on the Mehlbach, had always been fascinated by this transparent, soft, and seemingly inconspicuous substance. The path to becoming a well master was thus paved.

High up on the mountainside

In contrast to the flat path to the Brunnenmeister, the paths and access roads to the water catchments are mostly steep and sometimes difficult, as is the access road to the “Ursprung” spring. A series of hairpin bends lead up from the valley floor between flowering meadows and fruit trees. Here on the Buochserhorn lies one of the most important springs for around a third of the population of Nidwalden. “Ursprung” – the name is significant and indicates that this is the source, the source of water, the basis of life. “When I lift the lid at the water intake here and see the water flowing over the measuring edge, I feel a sense of awe.”

With a view of the mountains, still lightly covered in snow with their white peaks, Scheuber stands with his two colleagues and explains how the water supply is organized: "We are responsible for a pipe network totaling 112 kilometers, for five springs, four reservoirs, a groundwater pumping station, and five UV disinfection systems. We supply water to 11,000 people in their homes." Four million liters of water flow through the round pipes every day and are used in a variety of ways: for drinking, cooking, washing, personal hygiene, agriculture, and industry, to name but a few.

Changes in the water balance

Scheuber and his colleagues have noticed a change in the water balance. "The dry periods are definitely having an impact. We take a lot of measurements, for example of spring discharges. We are seeing shifts here. This was particularly pronounced in 2018, when we had little precipitation in the summer. The springs were at their lowest in late summer. In the past, this was typical: before the snow melted in March and April, the least amount of water was available – today, it's almost the opposite." In late summer and autumn in recent years, the water supply has recorded the lowest spring discharges.

And that brings us to the topic of water conservation. When asked what he wants from his customers, the answer is quick to come: “Basically, of course, that they treat it with respect and that they are proud of their water.” People should drink and use it, but be economical with this unique resource. “I see time and again that many people are conscious about their water consumption and use it sensibly. The topic of water triggers something in everyone. Because when it stops flowing from the tap, we have a problem.”

This wonderful liquid must always be available. “Demands have rightly increased. We want to offer professional service and information, especially in the event of disruptions.” That's why the on-call service is available around the clock, seven days a week. “We deal with people every day. If we want to achieve something good, it has to be a collaborative effort.” It is clear from Christoph Scheuber that this collaboration is not a strategy, but an attitude. For him, it is crucial to work together with those affected. It will therefore continue to be important in the future to find new, meaningful solutions together in order to ensure a flawless water supply in the long term.

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This is an article from the magazine “hin und weg”. You can find the printed version at the train stations in Engelberg, Sarnen, Stans and Meiringen, in all Travel Centres, as well as on trains. We will also be happy to send the magazine to your home address. Send an e-mail to hello@zentralbahn.ch with the subject “Subscribe to hin und weg magazine” and include your postal address in the body text of the message.