One of the best ways of keeping cool this summer
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The western cantons of Vaud and Fribourg have banned pumping of water from most rivers as of July 18 owing to a lack of rainfall over the past weeks.
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River levels have fallen below the limit under which water usage is restricted.
The cantons have also cited increased risks for fauna as another reason for implementing these restrictions. Fish have been dying because of the higher temperatures and the stronger effects of pollution in a smaller volume of water.
Restrictions on outdoor fires have also been announced in cantons Valais and Vaud. Valais has banned them outright while Vaud no longer allows them in forest zones.
Switzerland’s other cantons have so far not imposed limits on water usage and fires, but have issued warnings about high ozone levels.
Temperatures have soared in the country over the past few weeks after a wet start to the summer.
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