Communiqué
THE FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES
ENCOURAGES REDUCED BOTTLED WATER USE AT MUNICIPAL FACILITIES
Resolution urging tap water over bottled water where appropriate at municipal facilities passed at FCM´s national board meeting
VICTORIA, March 7, 2009 – Canada´s national municipal organization is encouraging local governments to reduce the use of bottled water in their own facilities where other options are available.
Meeting today in Victoria, B.C., the National Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) passed a resolution encouraging municipalities to “phase out the sale and purchase of bottled water at their own facilities where appropriate and where potable water is available.”
“Today´s action is another illustration of how municipalities are leading by example to encourage environmentally sustainable water choices,” said FCM president Jean Perrault, mayor of Sherbrooke, Que.
The resolution does not call for a ban on the sale of bottled water to consumers. “Regulating bottled water for public consumption falls under provincial and federal jurisdiction,” said Perrault. “All orders of government must work together to reduce reliance on a product that produces more waste, costs more and uses more energy than simple, dependable municipal tap water.”
“This cooperation among governments must extend to investments in local water systems. The most economical and reliable source of drinking water is a first-rate municipal water system. Where these systems are lacking, all orders of government must help fund the necessary infrastructure.”
FCM´s resolution also calls on municipalities to develop awareness campaigns about the positive benefits and quality of municipal water supplies. Municipalities will determine their local course of action.
The resolution was put forward by the cities of Toronto and London, Ont., over growing concerns for environmental impacts related to the production of bottled water, the energy requirements for the production and transport of bottled water, as well as the disposal and/or recycling of water bottles.
Bottled water containers may be recyclable but they still have to be manufactured and transported, which uses significant energy. Between 40 and 80 per cent end up in the local landfill. That is a burden on the environment and a cost for municipal taxpayers.
About the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM):
FCM is the national voice of municipal governments, established in 1901, representing the interests of municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within federal jurisdiction. With more than 1,775 members representing 90 per cent of Canadians, FCM members include Canada''s largest cities, small urban and rural communities, and 18 provincial and territorial municipal associations.
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For further information or to arrange interviews, contact Wendy Cumming: (613) 907-6356 / wcumming@fcm.ca
FCM RESOLUTION – NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING – MARCH 7, 2009
ENV09.1.02
BOTTLED WATER
WHEREAS bottled water consumes significant amounts of non-renewable fossil fuels to extract, package and transport water creating unnecessary air quality and climate change impacts;
WHEREAS it takes about three litres of water to manufacture a one litre plastic bottle of water;
WHEREAS bottled water companies use municipal water and groundwater sources when a growing percentage of Canadian municipalities have faced water shortages in recent years;
WHEREAS although bottled water creates a container that can be recycled, between 40% and 80% of empty bottles end up as litter and/or are placed directly into the garbage and take up unnecessary space in landfills;
WHEREAS tap water is safe, healthy, highly regulated and accessible to residents, employers, employees and visitors to Canadian municipalities and substantially more sustainable than bottled water; and
WHEREAS some municipalities have enacted by-laws to restrict the sale and purchase of water bottles within their own operations;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities urge all municipalities to phase out the sale and purchase of bottled water at their own facilities where appropriate and where potable water is available; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that municipalities be urged to develop awareness campaigns about the positive benefits and quality of municipal water supplies.
City of London and City of Toronto, Ontario