Fearing permanent harm to Ginnie Springs in Florida, environmentalists are opposing Nestlé Waters’ proposal to take 1.1 million gallons per day from the public source of water.
The food giant faced backlash from local residents for their plan. If Nestlé’s proposal is approved, water levels in the Springs from the Santa Fe River will deplete immensely, said Santa Fe River Incorporation, an organization that advocates for environmental issues in the area.
“If this permit gets re-issued, the river will see only more declining flows when the entire allocation is reached,” Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, Santa Fe River board member, told Newsweek on Tuesday.
The Florida Water Resources Act in 1972 determined spring water, rivers and lakes were the property of Florida. But the act did not set a price on the water, Gainesville Sun reported Saturday. Locals fear Nestlé will be able to take the state’s water and not pay Florida for it.
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Article URL : https://www.newsweek.com/nestle-wants-11m-gallons-water-per-day-florida-conservationists-are-fighting-back-1456416