Poland Spring's water use in Kingfield is governed, in part, by a conditional use permit that restricts withdrawals from Bradbury Spring to 200 million gallons per year. Based on extensive data collected by the Town of Kingfield , Poland Spring, the Maine Geologic Survey and independent experts, this represents a fully sustainable use rate.
When the permitting process began, the Town of Kingfield worked closely with Poland Spring hydrogeologists and an independent firm to understand the dynamics of Kingfield's 7,100-acre sand-and-gravel aquifer. The aquifer recharges at a rate equal to 44 million gallons per day, or about 16 billion gallons per year. Under maximum-use conditions, Poland Spring would be withdrawing only about 1.2 percent of the aquifer's annual recharge.
Poland Spring's Kingfield bottling plant proposal followed a lengthy review process. Before construction started, permits were obtained from the Kingfield Planning Board, Maine's Department of Environmental Protection, the Maine Department of Transportation and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
In addition to the permitted cap of 200 million gallons per year, Poland Spring's natural resource managers will continuously manage water use in Kingfield for thorough, comprehensive environmental monitoring. Poland Spring follows this practice with all its spring sources.
Regulation
Bottled water is one of the most extensively regulated packaged-food products. The industry receives government oversight from federal and state agencies nationwide, providing consumers with multiple safety assurances – from the finished product back to the source.
Bottled water is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates food industries and pharmaceuticals.
Bottled water must be tested for the same parameters as tap water, but in some cases the standards are stricter than for tap water. State governments inspect and certify the “sources” of spring water, which means samples, have been analyzed and their quality found to be safe and sanitary.
Oversight
Nestlé Waters North America (NWNA) voluntarily submits to outside party inspection of all its bottling facilities. This audit ensures that the company meets the most stringent guidelines for sanitation and process control. In addition, NWNA complies with inspections from the FDA, OSHA and Nestlé Waters-mandated audits. NWNA employs a HACCP inspection plan at all its bottling facilities. HACCP is recognized worldwide as the leading food safety program for food and pharmaceuticals.
We support clear, science-based and focused oversight on the impact of water use on a watershed – not the user. Our operations are overseen by several environmental regulatory agencies and planning boards that grant our permits, including:
- Maine Department of Health & Human Services
- Maine Department of Environmental Protection
- Land Use Regulatory Commission
- Maine Geological Survey
- Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
- State Soil Scientist
- Maine Department of Transportation
- Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
- Natural Areas Program
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Municipalities (via local ordinance)
