Report of bottled water smelling of "urine" and "old socks" disturbing, says OWSAG

The Ottawa Study/Action Group (OWSAG) is disturbed by the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency's report that found that bottled water sold smelled of urine, old socks and diarrhea.

CBC reported, "Dasani, owned by Coca-Cola; Real Canadian natural spring water, owned by Loblaws, one of Canada's largest grocery-store chains; and Refreshe spring water, from the Safeway grocery chain, are just some of the brands whose water has been hit with complaints over foul smells, tastes or unusually high levels of sulphur, the reports said."

Narcity flagged that "Canadians all across the country have been complaining for years" about the smells.

Despite the complaints, "the CFIA didn't identify any structural health or safety problems in the industry and said the stinky water some consumers had complained about did not pose a danger," added CBC.

Tap water in Ottawa is tested 300 times per day under strict regulations. Bottled water under loose regulations is tested much less than this. This report really shows the lack of regulation of the bottled water industry.
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The lax regulation, the commodification of water and plastic pollution are serious reasons to ban bottled water and phase out bottled water takings.

Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi have contracts to sell bottled water with the City of Ottawa.

Now is the time to call on the City of Ottawa to phase out the sale of bottled water at City Hall and other municipal buildings when Coca-Cola and Pepsi's contracts expire.

Sign OWSAG's Bottled Water Declaration to urge City Council to stop selling bottled water and promote its own high quality water.