The soft water of the lake

The Harbour, City of Creux de Genthod, Geneva
(Switzerland)

The water near the Jura range Is very hard, and for that reason the softer water of Lake Leman was for a longtime used for washing the linen-and especially for rinsing it in order to remove every trace of soap. The soaping was carried out on a boad and the linen rinsed in the lake using a long pole. The work was very arduous, especially in winter, and contrasted greatly with the Léman that we now know as an amenity solely for leisure and relaxation. (C. Bertola)