Dive Brief:
- Following a report last month that Nestle Waters North America has reportedly been piping water despite an expired permit, Nestle is now under investigation by the U.S. Forest Service.
- The reported pumping of water from wells that tap Strawberry Creek in California has been called out because Nestle's permit to do so expired in 1988. This has been brought to light in particular due to the state's massive drought.
- It may take from 18 months to more than two years for the environmental assessment required under the National Environmental Policy Act, which is needed to renew the permit, but Nestle said it would cooperate with that assessment.
Dive Insight:
The drought in California is causing waves of concerns across several industries based in the state, particularly for farmers and water suppliers, the latter of which have been ordered to abide by a 25% reduction. This also includes water bottlers, such as Nestle, who received criticism earlier this month for its plan to expand its water bottling operations in the U.S.