Morro Bay, CA Alternatives to Bottled Water

Type: (Draft) Resolution

Status: Adopted on 2/18/08

Vote: Unanimous

Source File: http://www.morro-bay.ca.us/agn/2-11-08/Item%20C-2.pdf

Text:

Note: The final text of the resolution adopted included amended language that would also ban the purchase of products containing styrofoam. Unfortunately, we've been unable to find a copy of the final version.

RESOLUTION NO. 10-08
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MORRO BAY REGARDING BOTTLED WATER

WHEREAS, the City of Morro Bay provides fresh, clean, and healthy tap water to all its homes and businesses; and

WHEREAS, City of Morro Bay tap water is extensively tested and must meet rigorous purity standards; and

WHEREAS, this tap water is readily and conveniently available in every city facility; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that 25 to 40% of bottled water originates as tap water before it is placed in the bottle;

WHEREAS, nationally only about 1 in every 5 bottled water containers is recycled (in California recycling rates are approximately 60%), and these bottles are one of the fastest growing sources of municipal solid waste in the country; and

WHEREAS, it requires an estimated 1.5 million barrels of oil per year to produce the bottles, and substantial amounts of energy are also required to bottle the water, to transport it by ship, train, or truck to retail outlets, to cool it, and to process discarded bottles, and the amount of energy used for this purpose is both an energy efficiency concern and a national security concern; and

WHEREAS, the US Conference of Mayors estimates that the energy used to manufacture bottles is enough to generate electricity for 250,000 homes or fuel for 100,000 cars each year; and

WHEREAS, the cost of bottled water can be more than 1,000 times the cost of an equal amount of tap water.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Morro Bay encourages all Morro Bay residents and businesses to consider alternatives to the purchase of bottled water; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Morro Bay encourages citizens and businesses who do use bottled water to recycle those bottles; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, except when required to maintain effectiveness of personnel and reduce the effects of heat stress and dehydration during highly physical manipulative training exercises, extreme temperatures, and during emergency situations (e.g. fire, police, harbor, EOC, etc.), no city funds will be used by any department or agency of the City of Morro Bay to purchase single-serving bottles of water, including for city funded or sponsored events.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that steps are taken to further raise awareness of why bottled water is being banned.