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STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL BOTTLED WATER MEETING IN LAS VEGAS Gigi Kellett, Associate Campaigns Director For Immediate Release: Contact: BOSTON--"This week, the International Bottled Water Association arrives in Las Vegas for its annual convention and trade show. Ironically the convention is taking place in a water-troubled desert and the theme is, 'Everyone's a Winner.' IBWA's choice of location and activities demonstrates the industry's indifference to water stewardship and sustainability. The conference takes place at the Mandalay Bay Resort which boasts of an 11-acre tropical sand beach, one of Las Vegas' most ostentatious water wasters. And a fund-raiser, sponsored by bottled water corporations and executives, is being held at an irrigated golf course. "Coincidentally, last month the Nevada State Engineer concluded two weeks of emotional hearings over Las Vegas' plans to pump billions of gallons of water from rural aquifers in east-central Nevada to supply places like the beach at Mandalay Bay Resort and the golf course where IBWA's members will frolick. Just as farmers in rural Nevada oppose Las Vegas' water grab, communities in Michigan, Maine and California are working to prevent Nestlé, an IBWA member, from draining their own water resources. "Additionally, recent scandals involving recalls of tainted bottled water have scandalized many avid bottled water drinkers. Earlier this summer, a number of stores recalled bottled water brands found to contain levels of the cancer-causing contaminant bromate well exceeding the FDA's safety standards. Major supermarkets, including Wegmans and Food Club, pulled their spring water brands off the shelves when they discovered the supply from manufacturer Mayer Brothers was tainted. "This week the IBWA is honoring people who have contributed to marketing, advertising and public relations for the bottled water industry. The bottled water market has more than doubled over the past decade, fueled by misleading advertising that portrays bottled water as safer, purer, healthier and superior to tap water. Today, three out of four Americans drink bottled water and one out of five drink only bottled water, even though bottled water is less regulated and sometimes less safe than tap water. These corporations are undermining peoples' confidence in public water systems and fueling a gross misallocation of resources. "Water is a human right, not a privilege. Whether it's Coke and Pepsi bottling up our tap water, Nestlé draining groundwater, or Suez taking over municipal water systems, none of these corporations pay the full costs of the public infrastructure they use, the environmental damage they cause or the health costs to the people they hurt. There is no substitute for democratically controlled, public water systems." # # # Corporate Accountability International, formerly Infact, is a membership organization that protects people by waging and winning campaigns challenging irresponsible and dangerous corporate actions around the world. Through bold campaigns and a commitment to win, Corporate Accountability International and its members have scored major victories that protect people and save lives. For over 25 years, we've forced corporations--like Nestlé, General Electric and Philip Morris/Altria--to stop abusive actions. For more information visit www.stopcorporateabuse.org.
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