Government By the People, For the Bottled Water Companies?

Food & Water Watch-sponsored Assembly Bill 2275, which requires water bottling companies to reveal the source and volume of water they’re taking, has recently been opposed by the California Department of Public Health ( Download the PDF file. ) on the grounds that the information is a ‚trade secret.” No, were not kidding.

It‚ no secret that water bottlers exploit local water resources while contributing to global warming and creating plastic waste. But we know what they dont want people to know, and that‚ how much water theyre taking in a region already notorious for water shortages. With an already-taxed water system and ever-expanding demand, California isnt drowning in clean water. So the ‚important business information” were talking about here is simply an indictment for wastefulness.

The California Department of Public Health isnt doing its job here. Bottling companies already have the upper hand‚Äîseeing as they profit off a substance they obtain for practically nothing‚Äîand the Department of Public Health‚ job is to stand up for citizens. What remains to be seen is whether Governor Schwarzenegger, who has recently been touting efficient water management and conservation, will straighten out the department or keep his head under the water.

-Erica Schuetz
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