MountResilience: Countdown to a New Water Management Platform
In Switzerland, though models still predict water availability, there has been a profound change in supply patterns due to droughts, torrential rain and accelerated snowmelt. The solution therefore lies in water management. Led by the EPFL+ECAL Lab, Mountis – the Swiss demonstration project of the European MountResilience initiative, which brings together 47 partners across the continent – addresses a key challenge: facilitating decision-making in crisis situations and future development plans. The aim is to secure greater engagement from stakeholders and to provide a direct understanding of the situation on the mountain in order to develop practical solutions.
In early November, the idea will become a reality in the Val de Bagnes (Verbier). Everyone will be able to view key water indicators in real-time such as reservoir levels, irrigation capacity and oxygen for wildlife. They will also be able to access a catalogue of solutions, featuring concrete examples of implementation. On top, key stakeholders on site will be able to contribute to the platform with their observations.
The aim is simple but essential: to facilitate dialogue between stakeholders from the water, agriculture, industry and tourism sectors, as well as policymakers and the population, so that adaptations to climate change can be created together. Giving everyone an understanding of what is happening on the mountain as well as access to existing solutions, enables an informed and pragmatic exchange. No intermediaries, no distinction between users, regardless of their level of knowledge or political status.
Behind the platform’s simple interface lies cutting-edge expertise designed to tackle many challenges:
- Measuring water quantity and quality in real time, in areas that can be extremely turbulent, thanks to BlueArk and EPFL’s RIVER Lab.
- Making sense of this data by transforming it into an attractive and accessible interface, using the interaction design expertise of the EPFL+ECAL Lab.
- Facilitating dialogue and identifying solutions based on this data, with the Foundation for the Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions (FDDM).
- Ensuring the technical integration of the interface and complex data flows, drawing on the expertise of Apptitude, based at the EPFL Innovation Park.
The Canton of Valais is also a partner in the project linking various local public bodies involved in water management. The development of this platform has just been the subject of two academic papers presented in Austria this summer.
“Being able to draw on factual data from our mountains in real time would be very useful to all members of parliament. It would enable a shared, evidence-based understanding, thanks to an accessible and reliable tool, whilst preserving freedom of political opinion.”
Isabelle Chappuis, Member of the National Council and Board Member of MountResilience, Swiss Demonstrator
The first version of Mountis will be unveiled on November 9 at the press conference in Sion, and will then be presented at the BlueArk conference. It has been designed to be replicated in other locations, both in Switzerland and across Europe.