TORONTO – Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she’s asking the provincial environment minister to look into water-taking permits for bottled-water companies amid revelations Ontario charges businesses just $3.71 for every million litres of water.
The Ontario premier said it would be “inappropriate” to issue Nestle Canada a new water-taking permit under the old rules that allow the company to pay the low rate.
READ MORE: Is Nestle’s pumping for bottled water shrinking Aberfoyle aquifer? Activists, company disagree
Nestle Canada has three permits to take up to 8.3 million litres of water every day for bottling, while Nestle Waters Canada – a division of Nestle Canada – has a half dozen Ontario permits allowing it to take an additional 12 million litres a day.
The province charges companies the $3.71 rate after they pay a permit fee of $750 for low- or medium-risk water takings, or $3,000 for those considered a high risk to cause an adverse environmental impact.
READ MORE: Environmentalists urge Ontario not to renew water-taking permits for Nestle
Nestle Waters’ permit in Aberfoyle, Ont., expired on July 31. Environmental group Wellington Water Watchers is urging the government not to renew it.
Nestle is continuing to extract water because the environment ministry says a permit remains in force if a renewal application is made at least 90 days before it expires, and Wynne says that window gives the government a good opportunity to look at what should change.
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