TCWN Blog » Blog Archive » TCWN stops Nestlé water withdrawal increase

The Tennessee Clean Water Network fought a Nestle Waters request to increase water withdrawals from Macon County watersheds – despite the low flows in streams.

From the TCWN Web site:

In December TCWN submitted comments on a permit reissuance request from a Nestlé water bottling plant in Macon County. The permit included changes amounting to withdrawing water during times of lower stream flow; therefore, an increase in water being removed from the stream for the purpose of bottling. We drafted comments detailing the negative impacts an increase in withdrawal from Bennett Hill Spring and a tributary to Salt Lick Creek would have on aquatic life and habitat, not to mention the permanent loss of the water to the watershed and surrounding communities.

Upon receipt of our comments along with those from TWRA and US Fish & Wildlife, Nestlé withdrew its request to alter its permit

Yay! Nestle’s “good stewards of the watershed” PR spin is often referenced by company spokespeople, but as we’ve seen in Mecosta Michigan and McCloud, CA, their concern lies more with their bottom line than the watersheds they tap.

Good job to TCWN.