By Adam Beam and Amy Taxin | Associated Press
In a striking move, California regulators have issued an order to cease the usage of natural springs by one of the oldest bottled water brands in the country. Arrowhead bottled water, which has been in operation for over a century, has been relying on these springs to promote its products in the western United States.
The origins of Arrowhead bottled water can be traced back to the Arrowhead Springs Hotel, established in 1885 above San Bernardino. It was in the basement of this hotel that bottled spring water was first sold in 1906. However, environmental and community groups claim that the company has been unlawfully extracting water from the springs that flow out of the San Bernardino Mountains.
These groups argue that Arrowhead’s actions have caused Strawberry Creek to dry up, harming the environment and increasing the risk of wildfires in the area.
The State Water Resources Control Board has unanimously voted to limit BlueTriton, the parent company of Arrowhead, from taking water from certain springs. While the order doesn’t completely ban water extraction from the mountains, it significantly reduces the amount they can take.
Board member Laurel Firestone stated, “I understand a huge amount of money and business is at stake. But it is crucial for us to uphold and apply the laws of our state, regardless of the financial implications.”
During the hearing, lawyers for BlueTriton argued that the board lacks the authority to mandate their actions. They claimed that the company extracts water from underground before it reaches the surface and that the board cannot regulate this type of groundwater. They also cited a 1931 court case that they believe supports their right to use the springs as a water source.
Regulators disagreed with BlueTriton’s arguments, maintaining that the company cannot bypass state regulators by extracting water underground. They also clarified that the 1931 court decision was specific to a dispute between two parties and did not grant Arrowhead the right to extract water from the springs.
Prior to the hearing, BlueTriton released a statement expressing their commitment to abide by the board’s final determination. However, they also emphasized their intention to preserve their legal rights through available administrative review channels.
This vote comes after years of contention between the bottling company and local residents who are passionate about protecting the watershed and restoring it to its original condition.
Residents have expressed concerns about the depletion of wildlife-supporting springs and the drying up of habitats in the region. The U.S. Forest Service acknowledged that the permit for the water-carrying pipeline had expired and subsequently issued a new permit under Nestle Waters North America, the former name of BlueTriton.
In 2019, BlueTriton collected 68 million gallons of water from the spring, of which only about 10 million gallons were bottled. The majority of the water was returned to the watershed, and a portion was allocated to a Native American tribe based on a longstanding agreement.
This case sheds light on the complex issue of water rights in California, particularly as the state grapples with managing its water resources in the face of a drier future.
This is not the first challenge faced by bottled water companies. Consumer advocates and environmental groups have voiced concerns about plastic waste and the legitimacy of the sources for these products. Earlier this year, the U.S. Interior Department announced plans to phase out the sale of plastic water bottles in national parks. Nestle’s Poland Springs, which is now owned by BlueTriton, has also faced lawsuits disputing the origin of its water.
Amanda Frye, a resident of the nearby community of Redlands, expressed disbelief that a private company could extract water from a national forest and profit from it. She hopes that the damage can be rectified and the watershed can be restored in due course.
Michael O’Heaney, the executive director of the Story of Stuff project, anticipates that this legal battle is far from over. O’Heaney’s organization fights against over-consumption and was one of the parties involved in the hearing. He intends to continue pressuring the state board to take action against other instances of water extraction by BlueTriton and urge the U.S. Forest Service not to renew the pipeline permit.
O’Heaney also emphasized the need for the company to face penalties for the years of water extraction without proper compensation. He believes that their current practice of obtaining a valuable natural resource without any payment is unacceptable.
The name “Arrowhead” derives from the distinctive arrowhead shape found on the San Bernardino Mountains. This shape is a result of geologic and soil condition variations in the region.
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