Bottled Water Industry Supports World Water Day 2009
ALEXANDRIA, VA, Mar 17, 2009 The International Bottled Water Association said it supports World Water Day (on Sunday, March 22) and the association recognizes the importance of sound water management policies both at home and in concert with other nations.
In the United States, annual bottled water production accounts for less than 2/100 of a percent (0.02%) of the total ground water withdrawn each year. The bottled water industry uses minimal amounts of groundwater to produce an important consumer product and does so with great efficiency, according to IBWA.
"Even though it is a minimal groundwater user and is one of among thousands of food, beverage and commercial water users, bottled water companies actively support comprehensive ground water management practices that are science-based, multi-jurisdictional, treat all users equitably, and provide for future needs of this important resource," said IBWA vice president of Communications Tom Lauria.
"The same holds true for the bottled water industry's support for strong and adequately funded municipal water infrastructure. Nearly all U.S. consumers and industries rely on tap water and every taxpayer and every industry must help ensure future supplies of water from municipal systems are safe and plentiful in the years ahead."
The theme of World Water Day 2009, celebrated on Sunday, March 22, is "Transboundary Waters," as the United Nations recognizes the world's 263 transboundary lake and river basins, which includes territory in 145 countries, covering nearly half of the Earth's land surface.
"Great reservoirs of freshwater also move silently below international borders in underground aquifers," the UN has noted. By the UN's count, there are over 270 transboundary aquifers in the world.
While government and the private sector work to find permanent solutions to provide clean drinking water in underserved communities, bottled water combined with other solutions such as filtration and bulk filling stations, is an efficient and effective means of delivering clean, sanitary drinking water, he said.
"A growing number of bottled water companies are designating a portion of their income to support global programs, which help create long term solutions for the provision of water for drinking, sanitation and hygiene in underserved and developing communities," Lauria said.