Switzerland

Dropstone supports public authorities, utility services, engineering firms and project owners in Switzerland in understanding, protecting and developing the subsurface and groundwater resources.

Active primarily in French-speaking Switzerland, we collaborate on an ongoing basis with the cantonal services of Geneva, Vaud and Valais, as well as with the Geneva Industrial Services (SIG). Our role: to provide independent, rigorous and directly applicable technical expertise for authorities and project holders.

Areas of expertise

Applied hydrogeology and groundwater management

We support our clients through all stages of aquifer management:

Analysis and interpretation of geological and hydrogeological data
Assessment of the impact of construction projects on groundwater
Technical advisory support to authorities on regulatory procedures
Design and supervision of exploration, monitoring and abstraction boreholes
Pumping tests, sampling and water quality analysis
Establishment and management of groundwater monitoring networks
Groundwater flow modelling and available resource assessment

Reference: In collaboration with GESDEC (the geology, soils and waste department of the canton of Geneva), Dropstone contributes to the knowledge and management of the strategic aquifers of the Geneva basin.

Geothermal energy and the energy transition

The exploitation of the subsurface for energy purposes is a growing challenge for Swiss communities. Dropstone provides scientific and operational expertise to assess and support geothermal projects:

Geothermal potential studies for shallow systems
Modelling of subsurface resources for energy purposes
Support for geothermal projects within spatial planning frameworks

Reference: Since 2016, Dropstone has been a partner of the Geneva Industrial Services (SIG) within the cantonal GEothermies.ch programme. Our work has improved knowledge of several groundwater bodies in the Geneva basin, reduced uncertainties related to their exploitation and contributed to identifying favourable areas for geothermal development.

Exploration geophysics

3D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT)
Induced Polarisation (IP)
Integration of geophysical data with existing geological and hydrogeological data

Reference: Dropstone recently conductied a shallow quaternary aquifer prospection project in the Geneva basin, combining 3D ERT-IP imaging with geological data to optimise groundwater resource targeting.

Support to environmental authorities

Technical review of development and construction projects
Groundwater impact studies
Assistance with licensing procedures
Environmental monitoring and oversight of potentially contaminated sites
Design and management of geoscientific databases
Geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial analysis
Thematic mapping and 3D subsurface modelling
Development of decision-support tools for authorities

Reference: In collaboration with GESDEC, Dropstone contributes to the development of tools for processing construction permit applications and subsurface planning in the canton of Geneva.

The permanent team

founder and owner

Patrick Kilchenmann

A geologist and hydrogeologist by training, Patrick has more than 30 years of professional experience. He began as ascientist in applied research in Switzerland before conducting long-term missions internationally — notably in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Haiti, Nepal and Sudan. He has worked for the ICRC, SDC, SKAT Consulting and Helvetas.

His areas of expertise cover groundwater management, WASH programmes, conflict prevention and resolution, humanitarian access negotiation, governance and institutional strengthening.

Staff - Geologist and Hydrogeologist

Mehdy Al-Zoubaidy

Holding a master’s degree in hydrogeology, Mehdy has 12 years of experience in Switzerland (environmental impact studies, engineering) and internationally (Morocco, Lebanon, Madagascar, Bangladesh). Specialised in integrated water management and spatial analysis, he works on our hydrogeological projects in Switzerland and abroad since March 2023.

Staff - Senior Geologist and Geomatician

Blaise Loup

A graduate of the University of Geneva, Blaise brings more than 30 years of experience in the management and analysis of geoscientific databases. Proficient in ArcGIS Pro and SQL queries, he has in-depth knowledge of the Geneva subsurface and oversees our hydrogeological projects and institutional databases. He joined our team in June 2024.

Staff - Geologist and Hydrogeologist

Cyrille Scherrer

Holding a doctorate in hydrogeology, Cyrille specialises in mapping groundwater potential for drilling in humanitarian crisis situations. His work has contributed to the completion of more than 100 high-yield boreholes in refugee camps in Uganda. He works on our geothermal projects in Geneva and provides hydrogeological support in Wallis and Geneva. He joined our team in January 2025.

Staff - Junior Exploration Geophysicist

Sam-Bien Sogle

Specialised in 3D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Induced Polarisation (IP), Sam-Bien leads our quaternary aquifer prospection project in the Geneva basin. He integrates high-resolution geophysical imaging with existing geological and hydrogeological data.