Water Supply For Birg & Schilthorn: First Construction Phase In Progress

The first phase of construction of the new water supply for the Birg and Schilthorn began. The construction will ensure efficient and simplified water transport to the stations. The second stage will be realized in summer 2023.

The drinking water for Birg and the Schilthorn has always been transported in a laborious procedure by cable car. This system is backward and inefficient. In connection with the new construction project SCHILTHORNBAHN 20XX, it was therefore decided that in future the drinking water would be taken from the Mürren water supply in the Schiltalp and pumped directly into the designated reservoirs at the Birg and Schilthorn stations using a pressure pipe. Construction work has started, and the first stage will be carried out in summer 2022.

Complete new construction

The building permit for the project was granted in March 2020. Due to the situation caused by the pandemic, Schilthornbahn AG decided to postpone the start of construction by two years. In order to avoid unnecessary coordination and space problems in the subsequent large-scale 20XX project on the Birg and Schilthorn construction sites, the water supply must be completed beforehand. Consequently, this summer a new pumping station will be built on the Schiltalp, the water pipeline between Schiltalp and Birg as well as a new reservoir and another pumping station on Birg. The construction site is accessed via a material cable car from Birg to Schiltalp. In order to minimize noise and costs, the company avoids helicopter flights whenever possible.

Two in one: the power cable is also laid

In the summer of 2023, the Lauterbrunnen power station will also lay a second power line in the trench for the new water lines between Birg and Schilthorn. This creates and ensures a redundant energy supply for the Schilthorn. The total cost of the Birg and Schilthorn water supply project is around CHF 3 million.

Hiking offer affected

For safety reasons, the Grauseeli - Tischtelwang - Schiltalp hiking trail remains closed throughout the summer season. A corresponding diversion is signalled.