From: "Brent Patterson"
Date: 2007/05/03 Thu AM 10:41:20 EDT

Dear chapter activists,

Please see below an article from The Guardian which reports that, "In a letter to the local branch of the Council of Canadians, Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee said city council recently met to discuss a letter from the group requesting the city switch from using bottled water to tap water...(As a result) bottled water will no longer be permitted in all city premises and workplaces and all city council and committee meetings."

There are a number of good quotes from Charlottetown chapter activist and Council of Canadians vice-chair Leo Broderick including, "I think we need to continue putting the pressure on other municipalities and the provincial government if it's purchasing bottled water to cease that practice and to use tap water. Municipal water systems are safer than bottled water. The standards are higher."

The article also states, "Broderick said Charlottetown might be the first city in Canada to ban bottled water and that Vancouver is also considering a ban."

Congratulations!

Brent

Charlottetown mayor orders halt to bottled water
KATIE SMITH
The Guardian
Monday April 30, 2007

Soon after the province announced a lifting of the can ban, the City of Charlottetown is enacting a ban of its own, this time it's on bottled water.

In a letter to the local branch of the Council of Canadians, Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee said city council recently met to discuss a letter from the group requesting the city switch from using bottled water to tap water.

"It was the decision of (city) council that the City of Charlottetown would cease purchasing bottled water,'' Lee said in the letter.

Bottled water will no longer be permitted in all city premises and workplaces and all city council and committee meetings.

Leo Broderick of the Council of Canadians said he is very pleased with the city's decision.

"It's wonderful news. They've been spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on bottled water for the last few years, so this is good.''

Broderick said it's sending a message that the mayor and city councillors are saying municipal water is safe to drink.

"They're also saying it's clear that bottled water causes a severe strain on the environment.''

The Council of Canadians now hopes the city will begin a public education campaign to convince all city residents to use tap water instead of buying bottled water, he said.

"I think we need to continue putting the pressure on other municipalities and the provincial government if it's purchasing bottled water to cease that practice and to use tap water. Municipal water systems are safer than bottled water. The standards are higher.''

If the politicians are not drinking city water, it sends a bad message, he said.

"I think this shows that the city is sincere about dealing with the issue and ensuring the message gets out that its water system is safe.''

There is a lack of confidence now about the Island's water, given the fact that nitrates contaminate some water systems, he said.

"But municipal systems check on a regular basis for contamination, and one of the things that they do check for are nitrates.''

Broderick said Charlottetown might be the first city in Canada to ban bottled water and that Vancouver is also considering a ban.

"It's quite controversial out there, as well.''