- Global Advisory
Switzerland Services
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.
Key Capabilities
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
Working in close partnership with international organizations and national authorities, Dropstone combines field-based coordination, institutional strengthening, and targeted capacity development to support sustainable service delivery and protect critical infrastructure in disaster-prone settings.
Support to environmental authorities
Comprehensive capabilities mapping to administration requirements:
- Technical review of development and construction projects
- Assistance with licensing procedures
- Design and management of geoscientific databases
- Thematic mapping and 3D subsurface modelling
- Groundwater impact studies
- Environmental monitoring and oversight of potentially contaminated sites
- Geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial analysis
- 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.
Exploration geophysics
Our geophysical methodologies include:
- 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.
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.
Our Experts
The permanent team
Patrick
Kilchenmann
Founder and Owner
A geologist and hydrogeologist by training, Patrick has more than 30 years of professional experience. He began as a scientist 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.
Mehdy
Al-Zoubaidy
Geologist and Hydrogeologist
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.
Blaise
Loup
Senior Geologist and Geomatician
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.
Cyrille
Scherrer
Geologist and Hydrogeologist
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.
Sam-Bien
Sogle
Junior Exploration Geophysicist
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.
Swiss Network
The clients and partners
Collaborating on an ongoing basis with municipal, cantonal, and industrial utility frameworks in French-speaking Switzerland.
