Baltimore Sun - Study scores use of bottled water in state office

Maryland spent at least $200,000 on bottled water for its government offices, according to a report released Tuesday called Getting States Off the Bottle, issued by Corporate Accountability International, a watchdog group. The group has been seeking to pressure state and local governments to curb use of bottled water and redirect funds to public water infrastructure - for which there is a $22 billion need nationwide. The bottles, the group says, are harmful to the environment, costly and send the wrong message about the safety of public tap water. The report says Maryland has directed $119 million in stimulus money toward water quality and drinking water projects, but officials need to change their ways in nonemergency situations. Four other states reviewed in this report spent between $78,000 and $475,000 on bottled water. More than 100 cities and three states have pledged to avoid bottles, the group said.