Readers Speak: Letters to the editor

Posted on Jan. 26, 2009, at 12:00 a.m.

To the editor:

As an alumnus of the University of Maine and Natural Resource Manager for Poland Spring in Maine, I would like to address some of the statements reported in the Dec. 11 story, “Tap Water is Not Unhealthy nor is it Unsafe to Drink.”

Since 1845, Poland Spring has contributed to the state’s economy, environment and people. Contrary to Mr. Wilfong’s assertions stated in the article, we employ more than 800 local workers at our three bottling plants in the state and since 1992 we have invested $439 million in capital in Maine. In addition to paying local taxes, just like any other business or landowner, Poland Spring also provides substantial support for municipal needs, education, fire and rescue and environmental protection.

Anti-bottled water campaigns target one of the healthiest and most environmentally conscious packaged beverages. The fact is, the bottled water industry represents 0.004 percent of the total U.S. renewable fresh water annually and our fully recyclable bottles make up about 0.3 percent of solid waste in the U.S.

Our industry, like any person or business, does have an environmental footprint. Poland Spring and our parent company, Nestle Waters North America, are conscious of our impact, and we’re working hard to reduce our energy use and emissions. For example, we have more LEED certified facilities than any other U.S. food and beverage manufacturer, and our Eco-Shape bottles use the least plastic of any other comparable beverage container on store shelves today.

We support people drinking more water, whether from a bottle or the tap, but the assertion that the world’s problems – such as climate change and resource supply – would be solved if bottled water were to disappear is, frankly, myopic. We will only see success if we work together to find real solutions, instead of narrowly demonizing one product.

Mark Dubois, C.G.

Natural Resource Manager

Poland Spring Water Company

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