Community & Labour Action

Canada: PoCo on board for Metro anti-bottled water push

The Tri-City News.

City’s environment committee chair would prefer educational approach to campaign

Metro Vancouver residents have convenient access to high-quality water for pennies a litre.

So it is no wonder that officials in municipalities across the region are scratching their heads at numbers showing more people are opting to purchase their water in bottles — at roughly 2,000 times the price — instead of drinking from the tap.

In the new year, Port Coquitlam is expected to endorse the region’s tap water campaign and will phase out municipal use of bottled water.

Plastic water bottles have been targeted by the region as a source of garbage it would like to see reduced.

Environmental concerns about trucking water into the area from other jurisdictions when there is a clean and available source has also caused some concerns.

Studies by Metro Vancouver have found that 40% of the water sold in stores has come from the municipal water system and is not of higher quality than tap water.

But making water more available in parks and city property, something Metro Vancouver is asking cities to consider, can lead to other issues, said Coun. Mike Forrest, chair of the Environmental Enhancement Committee.

Vandalism of water fountains in public places is a common problem and can discourage people from using them.

Still, he believes PoCo is on the right track in supporting the tap water campaign.

He likes the fact the city is taking a hand in educating the public about the benefits of tap water and not simply banning the product from store shelves.

“I have always believed getting to big rules and stiff government is not always the best solution for things,” he said. “I prefer to bring people around with good, common sense practices.”

gmckenna@tricitynews.com