Nestle plan to take 1.1m gallons of water a day from natural springs sparks outcry

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Nestlé plan to take 1.1m gallons of water a day from natural springs sparks outcry

Opponents fighting to stop the project say the fragile river cannot sustain such a large draw

Richard Luscombe in Miami
@richlusc
Mon 26 Aug 2019 06.00 BST Last modified on Mon 26 Aug 2019 16.04 BST

The crystal blue waters of Ginnie Springs have long been treasured among the string of pearls that line Florida’s picturesque Santa Fe River, a playground for water sports enthusiasts and an ecologically critical haven for the numerous species of turtles that nest on its banks.

Soon, however, it is feared there could be substantially less water flowing through, if a plan by the food and beverage giant Nestlé wins approval.

In a controversial move that has outraged environmentalists and also raised questions with authorities responsible for the health and vitality of the river, the company is seeking permission to take more than 1.1m gallons a day from the natural springs to sell back to the public as bottled water.

Opponents say the fragile river, which is already officially deemed to be “in recovery” by the Suwannee River water management district after years of earlier overpumping, cannot sustain such a large draw – a claim Nestlé vehemently denies. Critics are fighting to stop the project as environmentally harmful and against the public interest.

Meanwhile, Nestlé, which produces its popular Zephyrhills and Pure Life brands with water extracted from similar natural springs in Florida, has spent millions of dollars this year buying and upgrading a water bottling plant at nearby High Springs in expectation of permission being granted.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/aug/26/nestle-suwannee-river-ginnie-springs-plan-permit

[msongs]

1. nestle is a cancer on the planet. let em desalinate sea water, there's lots of that nt

[Kurt V.]

4. they do this all over the world. an evil corporation.

[LakeArenal]

2. Years ago same thing to our local spring water co.

Then ship our water to Japan.
Somehow the locals feared too much semi traffic as opposed to fearing the privatization of our water.

What ever works. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Stop those dirty bastards NOW. n/t

[captain queeg]

5. Hate to see this, it's happening everywhere

Fiji bottled water steals the purest water in Fiji while the residents get by from other sources.

I have fond memories of swimming at Lythia Springs as a kid in Fla.