Legislative Action

Bottled water sent down the drain: Kelowna Capital News

Posted: May 29, 2009

By Jason Luciw - Kelowna Capital News

The supply of bottled water has been cut off from the Central Okanagan Regional District board room.

Kelowna Coun. Michelle Rule said it makes no sense for directors to be sipping bottled water, when the City of Kelowna pipes high quality H2O straight to the taps of the regional district’s KLO Road offices.

“You guys should be drinking it out of the tap because it’s perfectly good water,” Rule told board members during this week’s meeting.

“It’s better, actually, than that,” Rule added, pointing to a bottle of water sitting in front of a nearby director.

Drinking bottled water also sends the wrong public message about the need to cut down on waste and reduce greenhouse gasses, she said.

“It’s just a small thing, but you know, I think we need to lead by example,” said Rule.

“If members of the public come in and see us drinking bottles of water then why would the public think they should drink out of the tap.”

Rule reminded board members that the City of Kelowna has spent millions improving the quality of its tap water. “A whole whack of money, you bet. We have fantastic water, it’s unbelievable.”

Rule’s motion to ban bottled water from the board table triggered a jovial exchange between Kelowna Coun. Angela Reid and Joe Rich/Ellison director Kelly Hayes.

“What does it taste like?” asked Hayes.

Reid responded, almost as if to advertise for the water as she took a gulp from her glass.

“It’s delicious,” she said, turning to Hayes with a big smile, glass in hand.

Rule’s motion passed unanimously so the regional district board has now joined a growing list of local governments which have banned bottled water from meetings.

Some municipalities have even nixed bottled water sales on public property. Studies suggest that anywhere from 40 to 80 per cent of plastic water bottles end up in local landfills or as litter on public property, despite the fact the containers are recyclable.

Large amounts of fossil fuels are also used to manufacture and transport bottled water, municipalities have noted.

Bottled water is also more expensive. Municipalities claim tap water is only a few cents per glass while a bottle of water can cost anywhere from $1 to $3.