Calif. investigating Nestle’s water practices
By Associated Press
SAN BERNARDINO — The U.S. Forest Service has begun an environmental review of Nestle Waters North America’s bottling operations in Southern California’s San Bernardino National Forest, according to a newspaper report.
Nestle was sued in October by environmental and public interest groups who allege the Swiss-based company is operating its Strawberry Canyon facility on a permit that expired in 1988. The groups led by the Center for Biological Diversity said the prolonged drought in California combined with the water bottling operation is affecting wildlife.
Nestle has applied to renew its permit and can continue to operate while that application is pending.
Forest Service spokesman John Heil said recently that his agency has begun reviewing the effects of re-issuing the special use permit, the San Bernardino Sun reported Saturday. The review comes under the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires agencies to assess the environmental effects of proposed actions prior to making decisions.
“We are pleased the USFS review process is underway,” said Jane Lazgin, spokeswoman for Nestle Waters North America. “We are working with the U.S. Forest Service through the permit renewal process, recognizing the permit remains in effect because the company took the proper steps to request the permit renewal before it became due.”
The piping system siphoned about 68,000 gallons of water a day out of the forest in 2014, according to a statement made by the plaintiffs after the suit was filed.
The groups believe species, including Least Bell’s Vireo and California spotted owls, could see their numbers increased with improved water supply, the lawsuit said.
For more than 120 years, the Arrowhead bottle water brand, under many different owners, has been fueled by spring water from the San Bernardino Mountains and other springs around the state.
I don’t think we need bottled water – just makes more plastic to the landfill! Also, California water is good. Plus, Jane Lazgin from Nestle says they took the proper steps before the permit renewal is/was due????? If it expired in 1988 – how is that possible? I don’t want corporate concerns taking water from our forests.
Irish Wahini-do you know that the millionaires that own the Lakeside Park Water District have the Stateline area by the shorthairs as far as water service? Allowing those that only see profit as their purpose in life should never, ever be in control of the commons- Privatization of what belongs to all in our community, or any community in America, is repulsive-
You can expect a BS filled response from one of their ‘righteously indigent’ residents eventually here espousing their ongoing/forever beneficence
I misspelled indignant, sorry-but you get what I’m saying-I think the main spinmaster’s name is Engelhart
Americans have been duped into drinking bottled water. Many times, tests of bottled water have shown contaminants that you would not find in a city water supply. Municipal water is tested constantly–bottled water seldom. Bottled water is hugely expensive both in terms of buying it and in terms of environmental impact.
When someone offers me water and then comes out with a bottle, I always ask if I can just have a glass of tap water. Sometimes people seemed shocked that I would drink tap water over bottled. Go figure.
Blue Jeans is absolutely on target.
There is a Penn & Teller BS Show on Bottled Water. I could not find a link on YouTube, but it is available on Amazon, Netflix, and probably other sites. It is funny, but also puts a common sense perspective on bottled water. Worth watching.