Report raises questions for new Smiths Falls bottled water plant

OTTAWA/ June 16, 2009 – A new report [1]released today by the Polaris Institute (Smith Falls Bottled Water: Local Concerns and Key Questions) highlights concerns and raises questions for the new bottled water plant scheduled to open in the Town of Smiths Falls.

While the report acknowledges that the Smiths Falls is in need of new and sustainable good jobs, it highlights that in Canada the bottled water sector has a diminishing market value and may not be able to provide long-term employment.

On June 1, 2009 it was announced that Aquablue Spring Water International Inc. had agreed to terms with Hershey Canada Inc. to purchase the former Hershey facility and equipment in Smiths Falls, Ontario and turn it into a bottled water and beverages plant.

The 7-page Polaris Institute report raises a number of questions that need answers before the plant should move forward:

-Are bottled water jobs sustainable given the current bottled water backlash in Canada?

-What water source (Tay River, Rideau River, Municipal water system) will be used to extract water.

-Has Aquablue applied for a Permit to Take Water from the Ontario Government?

-Will Smiths Falls water be used for bulk water exports abroad?

“The town of Smiths Falls is clearly in need of good new jobs; however, the key question is whether jobs in the bottled water sector are the right jobs for Smiths Falls,” explained Richard Girard, Research Coordinator for the Polaris Institute and co-author of the report.

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The full report is available here [1]

For more information contact:

Joe Cressy, Polaris Institute, 613-668-5542, joecressy@polarisinstitute.org [2]

Richard Girard, Polaris Institute, 613-237-1717 x105, Richard@polarisinstitute.org [3]