Chapter Three      Dr. Servettaz - Safeguarding Lake Annecy

Dr. Servettaz published his first account of the story in a small limited edition in March 1971. In under 100 pages are the essentials of the story; the threat in general posed to natural habitats by rapidly increasing urban populations; the complex inner life of a lake and fragile processes at work, and the damage caused by human effluent upon that delicate equilibrium.

In that context he relates the drama of how Lake Annecy was threatened with pollution and how it was prevented. He concludes with an exhortation to future generations to continue the work of safeguarding the lake.

In 1977 Dr. Servettaz published a revised version of the story expanded to over 250 pages.

He adds a rousing anthem on the qualities of water and the myriad roles it plays in our lives and in all life and he describes with more colour and detail the struggles he went through to initiate substantial action to save the lake.

Finally, with the benefit of six more years' study, he describes progress made with the rehabilitation of the lake.

The 1991 version was essentially a reprint of the previous edition.  The only additions are several short prefaces.  He  salutes his dear lake, like an old friend.  He pays tribute to progress made  by SILA.  He reflects happily on the positive results of scientific surveys of the lake.  Finally he adds one last exhortation to continue the work of safeguarding the lake: "Citizens, grant the lake the kind of protection it deserves, careful, jealous, disciplined!".  Dr. Servettaz was now 77  having given 45 years of his life to safeguarding the lake.  He was to live another 12 years - each year bringing fresh evidence in the quality of lake water of the tremendous impact one man had had on the well-being of his community.