tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12711336775443422842012-02-13T00:29:16.079-05:00A monitor focused on water issues in New England communities and the world at large.Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.comBlogger341100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-56269445122580247312008-10-01T08:59:00.002-04:002008-10-01T09:13:13.178-04:00

The Great Lakes Compact that passed last week may have left a gaping hole that allows the lakes' water to be used for bottled water purposes. Rep. Bart Stupak had tried to stop the bill from passing because of the loophole, but others pooh-poohed him. He may have been on to something...from the Record-Eagle:The loophole allows water to be exported outside the Great Lakes basin in containers

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-48269576708395246392008-09-27T11:33:00.003-04:002008-09-27T12:28:35.290-04:00

In a disturbing article about the milk scare in China, InsideBayArea.com reports:BEIJING—While China grapples with its latest tainted food crisis, the political elite are served the choicest, safest delicacies. They get hormone-free beef from the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, organic tea from the foothills of Tibet and rice watered by melted mountain snow.Polluted water for the people's

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-22880641039486866112008-09-26T10:55:00.003-04:002008-09-26T11:02:26.932-04:00

The Woonsocket Call reports on Smithfield, Rhode Islands efforts to create a man made wetland as a waste filter.NORTH SMITHFIELD — The town is looking to undertake a quarter-million dollar project to prevent pollution to the Branch River caused by stormwater runoff.Nature creates wetlands for free....

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-9620026047609230372008-09-25T13:00:00.006-04:002008-09-25T13:27:36.962-04:00

The Kennebec Journal reports:State regulators on Wednesday endorsed Plum Creek's historic development plan for nearly 1,000 house lots, two large resorts and hundreds of thousands of acres of land conservation in the Moosehead Lake region.Beyond water for drinking, bottling, agriculture and industry, there is water for recreation and there is an entire industry of recreational boat makers who

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-23647377660629877142008-09-24T14:07:00.002-04:002008-09-24T14:10:15.383-04:00

Slow news day today on the New England water side of things.Here's an article from the SF Gate about CA legislature getting serious about monitoring bottled water in the state.

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-91997001956103463992008-09-23T16:52:00.003-04:002008-09-23T17:05:29.909-04:00

Overwhelming majority passes the law, per mlive.com:GRAND RAPIDS -- The U.S. House today approved the Great Lakes Compact which supporters say will protect the nation's biggest supply of fresh water.One Michigan Rep tried to stop the vote out of fear of a loophole that allows bottled water to be extracted, but the other leaders feel it's been covered.More on that from Great Lakes Law.

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-31578584987426866262008-09-23T11:00:00.004-04:002008-09-23T11:09:44.361-04:00

Ugh.From Burlington Free Press:Vermont Pure has donated 15 cases of bottled water each month for a year totalling 4,320 bottles, to Spectrum. This donation will be used by Spectrum’s Street Outreach Team, who go onto the streets of Burlington seven days a week, and hand out free sandwiches and bottled water to homeless youth. One thing I have to admit, bottled water is incredibly functional in

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-55673004946564262872008-09-23T10:51:00.003-04:002008-09-23T10:57:48.504-04:00

A great retrospective from the Berkshire Eagle on the long term financial and environmental cost of severe river pollution:Nine years into an estimated $700-million-plus cleanup that could last decades, the river is both adored and dreaded: Anglers catch fish that they dare not eat; boaters canoe and kayak in the water but never swim; and farmers raise crops and animals near it, just outside the

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-61686214979638110662008-09-23T10:26:00.002-04:002008-09-23T10:50:59.363-04:00

Walmart not helping the situation:In a piece examining the value shoppers get at dollar stores, 7online finds:Nestle bottled water If it's not environmental concerns that are stopping you from drinking a lot of bottled water, it's the price. You used to be able to get bottled water everywhere for much less than a dollar, but now prices have gone up so much that it's hard to justify the purchase.

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-30012259060435526412008-09-23T10:24:00.001-04:002008-09-23T10:26:20.020-04:00

The Boston Globe reports:PORTLAND, Maine—Shapleigh voters, in a setback for bottler Poland Spring, imposed a six-month moratorium Saturday on the testing or large-scale extraction of water.The vote was 204 to 38.

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-58332606831554001622008-09-18T10:04:00.003-04:002008-09-18T10:11:31.414-04:00

Maine Today reports:PORTLAND -- About 50 people turned out for an anti-bottled water protest in Tommy's Park in downtown Portland this afternoon. The protest was mostly aimed at Poland Springs, which has met resistance in several York County towns this summer after proposing possible drilling on town-owned land.Shapleigh residence vote this Saturday on the Poland Springs test drilling.

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-89412797807889120862008-09-17T10:40:00.002-04:002008-09-17T10:45:25.197-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I posted about the creation of the National Hydration council in the UK, an industry group [supply your own opinion on industry groups] for promoting bottled water.Today, Brand Republic reports that this new group may be causing some trouble in the world of beverage industry groups.A little drama can be good sometimes.

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-22872817729090171802008-09-17T10:31:00.003-04:002008-09-17T10:40:36.300-04:00

From Foster's Daily Democrat:EDITOR'S NOTE — The health care industry is contributing to the contamination of our nation's drinking water supplies by dumping tons of unused drugs annually, an Associated Press investigation finds. First of a two-part series.By JEFF DONN, MARTHA MENDOZA and JUSTIN PRITCHARDAssociated Press WritersU.S. hospitals and long-term care facilities annually flush millions

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-16281344413844024982008-09-17T10:07:00.003-04:002008-09-17T10:18:57.081-04:00

The bottled water industry as a whole is experienceing a slowdown with this economy. However, Vermont Pure just realeased a Statement:RTT News:(RTTNews) - Monday, Vermont Pure Holdings Ltd. (VPS: News ), a distributor of bottled water, reported an increase in third-quarter earnings as sales improved from last year.

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-89169160321993843102008-09-17T10:00:00.002-04:002008-09-17T10:07:30.197-04:00

An interesting view in this letter, if we allow a few corporations to own all the water, we will end up where we are today with the oil companies.Letter

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-48818988721072616552008-09-17T09:56:00.002-04:002008-09-17T10:07:06.451-04:00

CBS News on the industry. Important distinction between regulatory oversight of Tap water and Bottled water.

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-22099865451529040442008-09-15T11:32:00.000-04:002008-09-15T11:34:53.164-04:00

Greentech Media reports:“Nanotechnology-based water filtration could deliver completely pure water from any source at vastly reduced energy usage and lower total costs,” said Pergamit.

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-39062723622799959272008-09-12T10:30:00.002-04:002008-09-12T10:39:19.616-04:00

Getting real basic on water conservation. I like this guy's attitude and agree with him (I think) that we should always look to conserve first. 50 gallons a day is too much. I'd like to start there. Anyway, it's another view:Village SoupDon't mess with a man's beer....Note: Having lived in Maine for 4 years. I do not think Maine folks are grubby.

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-56272104466214372992008-09-12T10:25:00.001-04:002008-09-12T10:28:27.423-04:00

From SeaCoastonline:With the summer beach season in high gear, EPA’s New England office is awarding a $201,450 grant to help support the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) Public Beach Inspection Program.

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-78989779997355872422008-09-11T11:47:00.003-04:002008-09-11T12:02:21.365-04:00

The Danbury News-Times:Beachgoers will be told more about whether it's safe to go in the water under a court settlement between environmentalists and the EPA.EPA will also be required to study the health risks posed by storm water runoff, the biggest known source of beach pollution. Announcement of the settlement follows publication of the NRDC's 18th annual beach water quality report, which

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-30986774593546350022008-09-10T12:52:00.003-04:002008-09-10T12:57:14.130-04:00

The Worcester Telegram and Gazette reports on sewage treatment and the Blackstone River:"WORCESTER— The city intends to fight the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the courts, if necessary, over the permit it has issued mandating dramatically lower pollutant limits at the regional sewage treatment plant in Millbury.""The EPA contends that the Blackstone River, into which the treated sewage

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-24978917974554547612008-09-10T12:25:00.003-04:002008-09-10T12:47:36.880-04:00

The Portland Press Herald has an update on Poland Springs and Shapleigh. The issue is slightly confusing, but at it's heart is whether or not to let Poland Springs do test drilling. The town puts it to vote in 10 days.Shockingly, what the town could get paid:"the company did not want to pay any more than the rate it now pays the state at Range Pond: 0.6 cent per gallon, less transportation

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-4299647206308185412008-09-10T08:51:00.002-04:002008-09-10T08:58:45.366-04:00

Quick Blurb from the globe and mail: Waterloo Region bans bottled water from sitesThe Canadian PressSeptember 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."The Waterloo region sits between three of the great lakes. They are rich in water, but it sounds like

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-89008270973173759462008-09-08T20:52:00.003-04:002008-09-08T21:02:13.486-04:00

USA Today reviews a new book on the water business."Americans discard 30 billion to 40 billion water bottles a year"Wow.

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-29401476261272401482008-09-08T07:07:00.002-04:002008-09-08T07:10:51.052-04:00

Per Brandweek:"The market for bottled water may be drying up. Despite massive discounting, brands like Aquafina and Poland Spring are experiencing a sales drought unlike any the category has ever seen.After almost a decade of triple and then double-digit growth, sales volume grew less than 1% for the first half of the year, per Beverage Digest, Bedford Hills, N.Y.The chief culprit: the economy.

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-75647918398848073262008-09-06T09:09:00.002-04:002008-09-06T09:13:14.136-04:00

The Financial Times provides some thoughts on the future of water as an investment. There are some good concepts to consider for anyone trying to get into water as an investment.Article

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-45573760128650502382008-09-06T09:00:00.004-04:002008-09-06T09:09:08.321-04:00

PRWeek reports:"Nestle Waters, Danone and Highland Spring have joined together to launch a new association to lobby on behalf of the bottled water industry.The Natural Hydration Council (NHC) was launched this week to research and promote the environmental, health and other sustainable benefits of natural bottled water.""Danone Waters UK & Ireland MD Nick Krzyzaniak said: 'The role of the NHC is

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-35917695724923806682008-09-05T12:01:00.005-04:002008-09-05T15:00:51.083-04:00

From Reuters:"California's 2009 Drought Water Bank will buy water primarily from local water agencies and farmers upstream of the delta and make it available for sale to public and private water systems expecting to run short of water next year.""Schwarzenegger and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat, have teamed up to promote a $9.3 billion plan to lawmakers that would address the delta's

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-2760308707279175972008-09-05T09:18:00.003-04:002008-09-05T09:36:09.849-04:00

The Morning Sentinel reports on Winterwood Farm's crisis. Winterwood recycles organic waste through composting. They then sell that compost to garden centers around New England.They have recently had issues with the DEP concerning high nitrogen run-off into a nearby stream. An ingredient in their compost is shellfish. Shellfish are high in nitrogen which makes for a great fertilizer, but a

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-18322476726090183542008-09-04T21:07:00.004-04:002008-09-04T21:30:54.875-04:00

Flow received high praise at Sundance. It's getting great reviews and will hopefully start meaningful conservations.Click here for a link to the film's site.

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-37673831779601853422008-09-04T12:09:00.000-04:002008-09-04T12:12:31.536-04:00

Boston.com reports the communities concerns over a 350 megawatt, gas-fired plant proposed for Brockton."The millions of gallons of water the company would draw from the Salisbury Plain River to cool its 250-foot smokestack could endanger the West Bridgewater drinking water supply, he said. "I have threatened litigation against the company and the City of Brockton," he said. "The days are long

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-9426536782464930642008-09-04T11:57:00.000-04:002008-09-04T12:02:57.533-04:00

From the Seacoastonline.com"Selectmen Tuesday voted to include a proposed large-scale water extraction moratorium on the November ballot...Voters will see the proposed moratorium on the November ballot."

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-90082008083317596892008-09-04T11:27:00.000-04:002008-09-04T11:35:39.750-04:00

Great Lakes Law has a great graphic on bottled water importers and exporters.

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271133677544342284.post-50379807476468615142008-09-03T22:44:00.001-04:002008-09-03T22:44:51.375-04:00

Updates from the Morning Sentinel on the Poland Springs Situation. In the Portland Press Herald, the company threatens to leave the state. This a weak threat. Leaving Maine means huge expenses (losses for management) for Poland Springs and Nestle. Would they leave the springs open for a competitor or a savvy municipal co-op of some sort?The citizens are in the drivers seat here. They should

Asparagus Maximushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10338751203198270268noreply@blogger.com0