On February 16, 2000 the residents of the Town of New Haven, for the first time, were informed of Perrier’s efforts to want to use our springs for their 35 million-dollar plant in our small agricultural community.  Within a few days of that date, they were drilling their test wells.  We now know that Perrier had various agencies of the State already involved in an Environmental Assessment study, and that there was a “budding relationship between the state and Perrier beginning in February 1999.”

WE ARE BEING BULLDOZED!  The majority of the residents feel that we are now fighting for our lives, our water and our community.  We have circulated a petition asking for an Environmental Impact Statement and in a few days obtained well over 200 signatures.  We will have a special referendum, in the Town of New Haven coming soon to express to our Adams
County and State officials that our residents are requesting an Environmental Impact Study for our Community and its People.

We have directed our New Haven Town board to send a letter to Governor Tommy Thompson, the Wisconsin DNR and Perrier to cease and desist their activity in the Town of New Haven.

Perrier has plans to expand the capability of their plant by 2004!  Wake up Wisconsin!  This Swiss based Nestle conglomerate wants to mine our water.  The Town of New Haven water is only one step in their efforts to become the leader in the bottled water industry.  They can truck water from long distances and they know where most of our pristine springs are located in the State of Wisconsin.

Their plans include the initial plant size of 250,000 square feet bottling 150 gallons/minute and potential growth to 500,000 square feet and 500 gallons/minute, over five years.  WHERE WILL ALL THIS WATER COME FROM?  Once it has left our state’s wells, aquifers and watersheds, it is gone forever.

At the end of this month Perrier will probably apply for permits to start drilling their high capacity wells with the Wisconsin DNR here in the Town of New Haven.  (Franc Fennessy said April 27, they will apply).  The process is being hurried and we do not have time to counter these efforts.  We consider this process the hole in the dike.  The precedent will have been set and Perrier will be able to move ahead with their plans.

Wisconsin has weak water laws.  Our efforts to pass bill 414  to require an Environmental Impact Statement for high capacity bottling company wells in our last State Legislature fell by the wayside when the legislators adjourned for the last session.

Now is the time for all of us to call, write and do whatever we can to let our local, county and state government know that we are not willing to allow this to happen in our State.  We can not predict how much bottling plants of this magnitude will impact our precious water supply.  Most of all, we need to let Perrier know they are not welcome and should honor their statement that they will not go where they are not wanted!