IBWA Supports 2014 Protect Your Groundwater Day

International Bottled Water Association | MEDIA RELEASE | Sep 5, 2014

IBWA Supports 2014 Protect Your Groundwater Day

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is proud to once again be a national partner of Protect Your Groundwater Day, which will be held on September 9, 2014. Protect Your Groundwater Day is a time to educate all Americans about what they can do to preserve and protect groundwater to meet human and environmental needs.

Spearheaded by the National Groundwater Association (NGWA), taking action to protect groundwater resources is an important responsibility for all users of water,  including agriculture, public water systems, businesses (including bottled water companies), and households.

“The bottled water industry recognizes the importance of protecting the quantity and quality of the nation’s  water and already engages in the two fundamental categories of groundwater protection recommended  by NGWA: keeping groundwater safe from contamination and using it wisely by not wasting it,” said IBWA vice president of communications, Chris Hogan.  “Bottled water companies that produce groundwater products (e.g., spring water, artesian water, mineral water) are entirely dependent upon a safe, fresh supply of constantly recharged and replenished water for their livelihood.  Bottled water companies that use groundwater go to great lengths to protect the land surrounding their sources to prevent any contamination,” said Hogan.

The amount of water used for bottling water in the U.S. is very small — less than 0.02 percent of the total groundwater withdrawn each year. Even though it is a minimal groundwater user and is only one of among thousands of food, beverage, and commercial water users, the bottled water industry actively supports comprehensive ground water management policies that are science-based, multi-jurisdictional, treat all users equitably, and provide for future needs of this important resource.  “In addition, the amount of water used to produce bottled water products is less than all other types of packaged beverages; on average, only 1.32 liters per liter of finished bottled water (including the liter of water consumed). 100 percent of bottled water is intended for human consumption; however, less than 1 percent of tap water is actually consumed,” said Hogan.

While groundwater is a renewable natural resource that is replenished through the hydrologic cycle, the duration of the replenishment cycle is influenced by weather patterns, recharge areas, and characteristics, geologic settings and other site-specific factors.  The primary effort of protecting and managing groundwater resources must be based on a solid foundation of appropriate and reasonably applied science. The flux, flow, recharge rate, surface water influence and impact, zone of contribution, and other factors affecting a groundwater resource must be analyzed and considered in the design of a management plan.

“The bottled water industry continues to demonstrate solid environmental stewardship and leadership when it comes to water conservation and efficiency.  Bottled water companies utilize and manage water resources in a highly efficient and responsible manner by investing in broadly-accepted science and technology to improve water quality, and strengthening water conservation practices,” said Hogan.

To learn more about Protect Your Groundwater Day, including ways that you can help protect and conserve our groundwater resources, please visit NGWA’s website.  If you rely on a well for your water, please visit WellOwner.org, NGWA’s website that provides helpful information to well owners.

To learn more about bottled water, please visit www.BottledWater.org.

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NOTE: Photos/head shots available upon request

Media Contact:
Jill Culora
jculora@bottledwater.org
703.647.4609

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters, including spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and sparkling. Founded in 1958, IBWA’s membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors and suppliers. IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, to set comprehensive and stringent standards for safe, high-quality bottled water products.  

In addition to FDA regulations, IBWA member bottlers must adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice is a mandatory annual plant inspection by an independent, third-party organization.  

IBWA is proud to be a partner with Keep America Beautiful and a supporter of Drink Up, an initiative of former First Lady Michelle Obama and the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), which encourages Americans to drink more water more often – whether from the tap, a filter, or in a bottle. Choosing water is always the healthy choice.