To contact Waterkeepers of Wisconsin, write P.O. Box 66, Briggsville, WI
53920|
Opposing Large Scale Extraction Of Spring Water Move could impact Perrier plans |
Friendship, WI - The Adams County Board of Supervisors passed a county resolution on November 21 opposing any large scale extraction for bottling or bulk sale of spring waters from Adams County.
The resolution passed by a vote of 14-3 against any large scale extraction of spring water at or near Big Springs, or from any other body of water, stream, or aquifer that originates in or enters Adams County, Wisconsin.
The resolution supports strict requirements for large scale commercial or industrial extraction of spring waters for both bottling or bulk sale and to maintain current zoning of sites proposed for the installation of high-capacity commercial or industrial water wells.
Despite strong opposition from local residents and others, Great Springs Water of America, Inc.,a subsidiary of the Perrier Group, has proposed to extract 500 gallons of water per minute, 720,000 gallons a day, 365 days a year, from the spring water aquifer of Big Springs, Town of New Haven, Adams County, WI.
Perrier was granted a conditional permit by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in September, stating Perrier had to conduct further testing and monitoring before a final permit would be issued.
Perrier ran limited tests in the spring of 2000 and only recently began additional tests.
"Waterkeepers of Wisconsin and Concerned Citizens of Newport applaud the Adams County Board for adopting this resolution and backing the Town of New Haven," said Steve Argo, Wisconsin Dells, co-chairman of Waterkeepers of Wisconsin.
"We are hoping this sends a final message to Perrier," said Rosemary Carlson of New Haven and a member of WOW. "Our precious water resources are simply not for sale. The residents of Wisconsin have continuously shown opposition to this proposal. First, in the Mecan Springs area in Waushara County, in resolutions in the Towns of both New Haven and Newport and the Conservation Congress hearings."
"Surely, this corporation has much to gain by pursuing this project and we have equally as much to lose," said Carl Zimmermann, Oxford, co-chairman of WOW. "Spring water is not ours to even consider giving away. It is a sacred trust we hold for future generations. Spring water can never, ever by taken for granted."
At this time, neither the Perrier Group of America, nor the landowners where the current well sites are located, have requested a zoning change.
