We've been waiting years for this huge news. On Friday morning the California State Water Board finally ordered Nestlé Waters – under new ownership as “Blue Triton Brands” – to stop taking the public’s water from the San Bernardino National Forest!

While the Water Board’s multi-year investigation – which was spurred by complaints from the Story of Stuff Project and others – found Nestlé may have a right to a small amount of water, we’re as close as we’ve ever been to ending the company’s theft of water from these public lands once and for all!
Now, Nestlé Waters has 20 days to respond to the draft Cease & Desist Order, either by accepting the Water Board’s decision or asking for a full hearing. Either way, we need to be ready to respond and hold the company accountable.

Blue Triton Brands (formerly Nestlé Waters) will fight this ruling. Help us #EndTheExctraction in San Bernardino once and for all!

Over the three years since the Water Board’s initial investigation was released in December 2017, Nestlé sucked more than 173 million gallons of water from the National Forest, 25 times as much as the Water Board now says they may have a right to.

Then in March, Nestlé Waters’ business was bought by two private equity firms and rebranded Blue Triton Brands. But as it turns out, Nestlé was able to hide but not run because the company’s unlawful water take has finally caught up with it!

In a press release announcing the enforcement action, the Water Board heralded the power of public oversight, acknowledging “the extraordinary public input it received in this matter and its powerful impact on the investigation.”
I hope you know that they’re talking about you!

Thank you to Story of Stuff Community members and all of our partners for standing up for the Forest, Strawberry Creek, its wildlife and flora and all the people who depend on it.

Now, with only 20 days for Nestle to respond, we’ve got to gear up for a final push. Are you still with us?

Water is Life!

Michael O'Heaney, Executive Director

EDITORS NOTE: This was an e-mail notice sent from The Story of Stuff.
Their website is here: story of stuff.org