Swiss courts have dealt for years with a bewildering variety of noise complaints, including cowbells, church bells and trains, but this may be a first. A group of villagers have won a lawsuit against a loud river.
Residents of a district of Saint Legier in Vaud canton say that the stream, used mainly for irrigation, makes too much noise, and demanded that local authorities soundproof it. The problem apparently arose after part of the river was re-routed in 2020.
Their original request was turned down by officials who said that “the noise emitted by the stream… does not constitute an inadmissible attack on the tranquility of local residents.” An appeals court, however, found in their favor and ordered officials to either bury the stream or soundproof it.
