Municipal leaders from across the country are urging local governments to reduce the use of bottled water, after passing a resolution at a national meeting in Victoria yesterday.
"Some might say it was a watered-down decision," quipped Saanich mayor Frank Leonard, also a delegate to the meeting. "We are encouraging municipalities to use tap water in their own facilities, where the infrastructure is there to do so."
The resolution from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities calls on all municipalities to phase out the sale and purchase of bottled water at their own facilities, where potable water is available, and to develop awareness campaigns about the benefits and quality of municipal water supplies.
The purpose of the resolution is to reduce plastic bottle consumption -- an unnecessary waste in urban areas with clean drinking water, said the organization.
Leonard said the decision will likely be followed up with a message to municipalities and discussion on how to create the infrastructure to ensure access to potable water.
"In Victoria we're lucky, we have beautiful water. In Saanich, we're using jugs of tap water now in all our meetings," Leonard said. "But one of the delegates here from Newfoundland told us they had nearly 200 boil-water orders last year."
Leonard said fire departments are another example of sectors that might need bottled water.
"They need water with them out there on the job," he said. The ice rink will also continue to sell bottled water in vending machines.
"We're sharing a lot of good ideas here," he said. "Even things like changing fountains to allow people to fill their own bottles. They all help."
Elizabeth Griswold, executive director of the Canadian Bottled Water Association, complained Friday that FCM has rebuffed all attempts by her association, which has about 100 members, to give its side of the story. "All we are asking is they defer the vote until after they have had the opportunity to consult with us."
She said it's unfair to characterize the debate as bottled water versus tap, since surveys show most customers choose bottled water over other beverages, such as soda pop.
She also said the plastic used in water bottles is one of the most valuable recyclable materials going, since up to 85 per cent of it is recycled. Studies show water bottles make up about 0.5 per cent of all plastic in a landfill, she said.
spetrescu@tc.canwest.com
