Shillong, September 21: Reports reveal that Nestle, a prominent beverage corporation, has been accused by the water regulator of the US state of California of illegally diverting and bottling water from mountain springs for more than a century.
As per IANS, this bottled water is marketed under the household brand name Arrowhead, which proudly claims on its label to have been in existence “Since 1894.”
In 2021, Nestle sold its bottled water business, which subsequently operated under the new name BlueTriton Brands, after the rebranding.
The California State Water Resources Control Board has issued an order for the company to cease drawing water for bottling purposes from most of its water-collection sites in the San Bernardino Mountains by November 1. Nestle has been given a 30-day window to appeal this decision.
The investigation by the Board was initiated in 2015 following numerous complaints from individuals, organizations, and a petition signed by hundreds of people against Nestle Waters North America. These complaints alleged various violations, including diverting water without proper authorization and unreasonable water usage.
After eight years of investigation, involving numerous hearings, the board concluded on Tuesday that BlueTriton Brands does not possess the necessary permissions to utilize this water.
In response, the company contested these claims, arguing that its predecessors had been doing so for over 125 years and stating that the water it utilizes is from underground sources, suggesting that the state water board lacks the authority to regulate groundwater.
BlueTriton Brands has announced its intention to file a lawsuit to challenge the order.