Swiss gold sewage: Switzerland has $1.8 mil in gold flowing through its sewers each year - TomoNews

SWITZERLAND — Scientists say around 43 kg of gold worth around $1.8 million is flushed through Switzerland’s sewer system each year.The report was released by researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Bloomberg reported. According to the report, the gold is lost through sludge and effluent from the country’s waste treatment facilities.Scientists believe the gold flecks originate from the watchmaking industry and gold refineries. Switzerland is a major gold-refining hub with about 70 percent of the world’s gold making its way through the country’s refineries every year, according to Bloomberg. The study looked at 64 water treatment plants and also found around 3,000 kg of silver worth around $1.7 million.