The California Department of Public Health has licensed more than 100 bottled water plants in the state.[2] Recognizing the severe drought conditions in California, some water bottlers have taken steps to be responsible corporate citizens and reduced the amount of water they take from California sources.[3] This is not the case for others, including Nestle Waters North America ("Nestle"), which continues to unapologetically remove almost 1 billion gallons of water annually. In addition, it appears that Nestle's permit for at least one of its major water sources in California expired more than 25 years ago!

Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP is committed to protecting the environment and shedding light on companies that choose not to be responsible corporate citizens. CPM's Water Rights Litigation Group includes Joseph W. Cotchett, Philip L. Gregory, Gwendolyn R. Giblin, and Camillo Artiga-Purcell.

[1] Regan Morris, "Nestle: Bottling water in drought-hit California," BBC News (May 3, 2016), available at: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-36161580.

[2] Ian James, "Starbucks to cease Ethos bottling in California due to drought," USA Today (May 11, 2015), available at: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/ 2015/05/11/starbucks-ethos-bottling-calif-drought/27105289/

[3] Id.