The U.S. Conference of Mayors passed a resolution Monday to phase out city spending on bottled water. "Cities are sending the wrong message about the quality of public water when we spend taxpayer dollars on water in disposable containers from a private corporation," said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, adding, "The fact is, our tap water is more highly regulated than what's in the bottle." Millions of barrels of oil go into plastic-bottle manufacturing, and cities spend some $70 million annually on bottle disposal. Though the new resolution is not binding, it received strong support, and more than 60 mayors across the country have already canceled bottled-water contracts. The American Beverage Association is entirely unamused by the trend. "We believe that common sense will prevail when mayors return to their communities," says the ABA's Kevin Keane, "as most recognize more pressing challenges are facing their communities than concerns about a healthy water beverage."
source: AlterNet, El Paso Times, BevNet.com, PRNewswire, American Beverage Association
see also, in Grist:Anti-bottled-water campaign kicks off in cities across U.S.
U.S. pushes for compromise in Copenhagen climate talks
Cautious optimism for Copenhagen deal as Barcelona climate talks end
Another coal plant bites the dust
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Wolverine Posted 6:51 am
24 Jun 2008
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Delay And Deny Posted 10:47 am
24 Jun 2008
Brightwater will protect public health, the environment and the economy by providing enough sewage treatment capacity to serve the growing population of the central Puget Sound region over the next several decades.
The advanced treatment technology at Brightwater will also enable the plant to become a significant source of high-quality reclaimed water for non-drinking uses such as irrigation and industrial processes.
http://www.metrokc.gov/exec/news/2006/0412brightwater.asp ...
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