Time is running out. The…

Time is running out. The moratorium on new permits for water bottling is set to expire at the end of this year. The Ontario government implemented the ban so that research on Ontario’s groundwater could be completed and the province could make sure our ground water is being managed sustainably.

However, this research isn’t done yet! The government must intervene, through regulation, to keep the moratorium in place until the science is made public, consulted on, and used to inform new rules for water bottlers. Our water is precious and governments must put drinking water first and ensure groundwater supplies are preserved well into the future with long term, science-based policies.

Companies like Nestlé are already reaping massive profits from Ontario’s public water by drawing up to 4.7 million litres every day from Aberfoyle and Erin wells. If the moratorium ends, they’d be allowed to request a permit for 1.6 million litres more per day from the Middlebrook well near Elora. The same well that the Township of Centre Wellington needs to supply their growing population with clean drinking water.

It’s time to say no to big bottlers, and keep Ontario’s water for Ontarians – plastic free and safe from their taps. I urge you to take action and keep the ban in place.