Premier Wynne Says New permit for Nestle Water Taking At Low Rate ‘inappropriate’
Bottled water companies in Ontario may soon have to pay more and take less water as public outcry over revelations that the province charges them just $3.71 for every million litres triggered a government review.
There is a difference between taking water for agricultural or industrial use and taking it to sell bottled water, Premier Kathleen Wynne said Wednesday. Some of the conditions of the permits for bottled water use are outdated, she said.
“There’s the issue of the quantity of water that’s taken, there’s the issue of the cost of that water,” Wynne said.
“Also, there’s an issue around the timing. As we all know, it’s been a dry summer and so I think we need to look at what are the right triggers in place in terms of quantities that are allowable given the conditions.”
Wynne has asked Environment Minister Glen Murray to review permit conditions for bottled water companies. It will look at whether there is a sufficient price on removing water, he said.
“I think for some of the folks that are removing it and taking it away, that they got a really sweet deal,” he said. “Maybe too sweet a deal.” …
