The province of Ontario is proposing to suspend the creation or expansion of bottled water plants while it considers changing the rules that allow companies to take water to sell, reports Canadian Press (CP). The proposed changes come after a backlash against Nestle Waters Canada which outbid the small town of Wellington Centre for the right to draw from a local well.
More science, transparency to be sought
CP reports the province wants there to be stricter scientific information provided before it awards water-drawing permit. It would like to know more about the effects of commercial activity on local water supplies, particularly in times of drought.
A source also told the wire service, the government wants more transparency about such activities and it may ask companies to create websites so the public can know more about the water they are taking every week.
The proposed regulation would put a moratorium on water-taking permits until 2019.
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