Central Okanagan Becomes 50th Municipality In Canada To Enforce Restrictions

Canadian municipalities have already started to take action to promote sustainable water choices and avoid bottled water.  On May 28, 2009, the Polaris Institute reported that Central Okanagan became the 50th municipality in Canada to execute restrictions on bottled water.

“From Toronto to Vancouver, in big cities and rural towns, municipalities are taking out bottled water and re-investing in water fountains,” says Joe Cressy, Campaigns Coordinator of the Polaris Institute.

In Victoria on March 7, 2009, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) passed a resolution to “phase out the sale and purchase of bottled water at their own facilities where appropriate and where potable water is available.”

“Today´s action is another illustration of how municipalities are leading by example to encourage environmentally sustainable water choices,” said FCM president Jean Perrault, mayor of Sherbrooke, Quebec.  “Regulating bottled water for public consumption falls under provincial and federal jurisdiction,” said Perrault. “All orders of government must work together to reduce reliance on a product that produces more waste, costs more and uses more energy than simple, dependable municipal tap water.”

A recent report released from the Polaris Institute also revealed that Canadian Government spent over $7.2 million on bottled water in the last 3 years.  $7.2 million!  On bottled water!  Imagine what could have been done with that money if mandatory use of tap water was enforced – homeless people sheltered, hospitals funded, children educated – I’d bet I could list 7.2 million better ways to spend it .  What happened to the pitcher of water at the boardroom table or a simple glass of water?  If you want a bottle, try a sustainable stainless steel bottle and fill it with the regulated tap water we’ve been drinking and successfully surviving on for years.

For more information, see Bottled Watergate: Why is the Federal Government spending millions of tax dollars on bottled water? from Polaris Institute.

I’m sure if the average person realized that some of their tax dollars were being spent on supplying government with bottled water, they would be outraged.  Ignorance can be bliss in the political realm and the sad truth is not everyone seeks out knowledge, nor do they recognize or fully understand where and how their tax dollars are spent.  But this isn’t about political corruption; it’s about long-term planetary health and sustainability.  Consumer choices impact the planet more than anything else.  Going green starts in your own back yard, so start banning bottled water and use a stainless steel bottle, and then contact your local municipality and encourage them to do the same.