I read with interest the letter to the editor written by ROSSCORE environmental activist Sharon Yovanoff that appeared in the February 4, 2010, edition of the Orangeville Citizen, entitled, “Bottled Water Like Smoking?”

In her letter, Ms. Yovanoff makes numerous statements about bottled water that require correction.

For example, her “facts” about recycling are simply wrong. According to Stewardship Ontario, the recovery rate for plastic beverage containers averaged 55% across the province in 2008, but averaged about 64% across Canada. The beverage industry is working with government and consumers across the country to improve these recycling rates.

It should be noted that plastic water bottles make up just 40% of the total volume of plastic beverage containers used by the beverage industry. Most plastic beverage containers contain soft drinks and juices. Plastic water bottles account for about 0.02 of 1% of the municipal solid waste stream in Canada. If the bottled water industry disappeared tomorrow, there would be no appreciable reduction in the amount of refuse going to landfill.

Further, Ms. Yovanoff’s statement that “tap water is held up to higher standards” than bottled water is also incorrect. Bottled water is held to the same scrutiny as tap water. By law, Health Canada regulations for bottled water must be as strong and protective of public health as provincial regulations for tap water. Bottled water is regulated as a packaged food product by Health Canada through the Food and Drugs Act.

Her inference that money spent on bottled water represents an investment that is not being made in municipal water and sewer infrastructure repair is illogical. Canadians pay local, provincial and federal taxes, partly so that government at all levels will invest in water and sewer infrastructure maintenance. After paying their taxes, Canadians spend what’s left on numerous consumer items, including bottled water. They do not spend money on bottled water at the expense of tap water. In fact, a study conducted in October 2006 by A.C. Nielsen indicated that 95% of the movement to bottled water is due to a shift from other beverages, most notably soft drinks, tea and milk.

Finally, Ms. Yovanoff’s statements that Southern Ontario’s supply of fresh water is “vanishing” and, further, that the bottled water industry does not pay for the water it uses are not factual. The earth’s hydrogeological cycle naturally replaces the water used by Ontarians for whatever purpose they use it for. The bottled water industry is amongst those 2% of Ontario industries (those not connected to a municipal water service) that currently pay for each and every litre of water they use. The bottled water industry currently uses just 0.0000147% of water permitted for taking in Ontario.

In closing, Canadians have been drinking bottled water for almost 125 years. They should feel confident that they are doing the right thing from a health and wellness perspective as well as from an environmental standpoint — because they are.

John B. Challinor II APR Director of Corporate

Affairs Nestlé Waters Canada