OLYMPIA, Wash. — The state Senate has passed a bill that would ban companies from producing bottled water in Washington.
The bill (SB 6278) declares the commercial production of bottled water “detrimental to the public welfare and the public interest” and bans permits for those operations retroactively to January 1st, 2019.
It would would apply to all products marketed as “water” but not those that include water like soft drinks or beer
Opponents of the industry worry about the affect on water tables and stream flows.
The Northwest Bottled Water Association counters that it uses water resources wisely and produces an environmentally friendly and healthy product.
The bill is currently being considered by a House committee.