NBC - The war for Maine water has just begun

KENNEBUNK -- At a time when more people are drinking bottled water than ever before--opposition to Poland Spring's efforts to draw water from new locations is getting louder. Fryeburg's relationship with the company--which is now owned by Nestle Waters--has been strained for years. But the rally in Kennebunk last month--may signal the beginning of something different.
 

Many of the people protesting the proposed deal between Nestle/Poland Spring and the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells Water District--were not water district customers.

Emily Posner, a member of Defending Water for Life, remarked, "Allies from around the state and even Boston and New Hampshire are here to stand and say no to corporate takeover of our water supplies, that water is a resource for the people and for the natural communities of this area."
 

Local Poland Spring opponents have been reaching out for more political muscle from statewide organizers. Posner believes groundwater should ultimately be the property of the people. Town by town, she is planting a challenge to the idea that bottled water is a clean industry with good jobs for Mainers.
 

Posner said, "The water from Maine is generating a lot of profit for a corporation in Switzerland, for shareholders that are not our neighbors and aren't from here."
 

According to the beverage marketing corporation--per capita consumption of bottled water has doubled over the past 10 years. And bottled water consumption grew almost 7% last year. That's why Poland Spring is looking for new sources of water. But it's also why Posner says more and more people are concerned corporations could eventually control our water supply.
 

That is what makes Maine an important battleground for national groups opposed to the bottled water industry.
 

The Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells water district decided to indefinitely table the Poland Spring water extraction proposal. Poland Spring Natural Resource Manager Tom Brennan admits--the organized opposition has been pretty effective.
 

"The opposition is making it more complicated for us. No question." But Brennan says these outside groups aren't giving Mainers the truth. "There are specific tactics that are being employed by some of these groups. And a lot of it is applying misinformation, mischaracterizing what we do."
 

For one thing--Brennan says his company is not involved in a water grab that will harm municipal water systems. Poland Spring tests to make sure aquifers can handle the bulk water extraction. Brennan also says his company does not disparage the quality of tap water.
 

The "Think Outside the Bottle" campaign claims bottled water companies make millions by falsely advertising their water is better.
 

Brennan remarked, "I think people should drink more water, whether it's tap or ours."

Brennan's not the only one who feels the tactics of the anti-bottled water groups can do Mainers a disservice. Though Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Wells Water District Superintendent Norm Labbe ultimately proposed tabling the Poland Spring deal--he feels it could have done his customers a lot of good. "Now that we've acquired a significant amount of groundwater resource, we feel that we have some extra water that can be marketed for the local area to profit from."
 

The problem--as he saw it--was that the media circus created by the protestors made it impossible for the district's trustees to determine what the community really wants. The time-out is a chance for him to meet calmly with those opposed to selling the water--away from the cameras--and talk this issue through.
 

Labbe said, "I want to do the right thing for the customers. Not react to one group that may or may not represent our customers."
 

Right now, none of these groups are focused on creating any statewide legislation regulating the bulk extraction of water--but they say they could pursue it in future.