Editors note: The article below is from the Globe and Mail and the comments come from the Council of Canadians

The Canadian Press
September 10, 2008

Kitchener -- Councillors in Waterloo Region have banned bottled water from regional buildings and events in an effort to promote tap water they contend is a better choice.

Councillors endorsed the ban 13-0, rejecting criticism that it removes a healthy consumer choice for no environmental benefit.

Critics of the bottled water industry applauded the ban. They object to companies profiting from water sales and are concerned about plastic bottles filling blue boxes and landfills.

The ban prompted Nestlé Waters Canada to withdraw its proposal to partner with the region to collect discarded water bottles in public spaces. Nestlé draws water from nearby Puslinch for sale in Ontario and Quebec.

"The Council of Canadians commends the Waterloo Region for taking this important step in promoting public water and protecting the environment from the detrimental impact of bottled water. You will find below, the letter submitted on behalf of the Council of Canadians to all councillors prior to the vote.

Thank you to our London chapter who also submitted a letter to the Waterloo Region and have been actively campaigning to share their success and encourage other municipalities to follow in London’s footsteps.

Further to this, Owen Sound councilor Arlene Wright will be presenting a similar motion to ban plastic water bottles from city-owned buildings during a September 22 council meeting, according to an article in the Owen Sound Sun Times: http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1192712.

The article adds that Brockton decided on Monday to stop serving bottled water at council meetings, and that: “Cities like Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Ottawa and Sault Ste. Marie are considering either a full or partial ban at municipal buildings. All blame the poor recycling rate for single-use plastic bottles and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with manufacturing and transporting them.”

Furthermore, a Toronto District School Board committee will decide on September 17 whether to endorse a proposal to ban bottled water from all schools. We’ll keep you posted on all of these developments."