As part of Ontario's plan to protect water resources, the province is proposing a new fee for water bottling companies that take groundwater.
Currently, water bottlers are charged $3.71 for every million litres of groundwater they take. Ontario is proposing water bottlers pay an additional $500 fee, which would bring the cost up to $503.71 for every million litres of groundwater taken.
The proposed fee would help recover the costs of managing groundwater taken by water bottlers, including supporting scientific research, policies, outreach and compliance, and would further build upon Ontario's recent actions to protect groundwater, including:
- Placing a moratorium on all new and expanded permits to take water from groundwater sources for water bottling
- Reviewing existing rules for water bottlers and undertaking further research to ensure long-term groundwater protection, including considering the impacts of climate change and future demand on water sources
- Engaging Indigenous partners on groundwater management
- Consulting with communities and industry on changes to groundwater management practices.
People across Ontario are encouraged to provide their input on the proposed new fee for water bottlers through the Environmental Registry, available until March 20, 2017.
Protecting Ontario's groundwater sources for future generations is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
Source: Ontario