Pioneer Press - Bottled-water foes criticize state's use

By Dennis Lien

In tough times, every dollar counts.

With that adage in mind and a projected $4.85 billion state budget deficit looming in Minnesota, critics of bottled water consumption called on Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday to cut state spending for something they consider a wasteful extravagance.

The Department of Administration said the state spent more than $165,000 last year on large jugs of bottled spring water commonly used at water coolers but none on smaller plastic bottles. The state should instead use public tap water, which is safe and less expensive, the critics said during a news conference at the Capitol.

The Think Outside the Bottle campaign is making similar appeals in the other 49 states.

FAIR USE NOTICE  
This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is available without profit for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.