Across the country, people are getting ready to toast the value of public tap water by taking action on bottled water.
On March 15, Bottled Water Free Day, CUPE members and their allies will be organizing in their communities to eliminate the sale and distribution of bottled water in public spaces and institutions. Campuses and municipalities are two main targets, but any workplace or institution can back the tap and go bottled water free.
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Take the tap water pledge
- Make your workplace a bottled water free zone
CUPE is part of the Back the Tap coalition that’s promoting the day. The coalition also includes the Canadian Federation of Students, Council of Canadians, Polaris Institute and Sierra Youth Coalition.
Your local can get involved by visiting www.backthetap.ca, where you’ll find background, tools and information on events across the country. Check back often between now and March 15 news and materials.
A growing number of campuses and municipalities in Canada are ending their use of bottled water - standing up for the environment and standing behind our public water systems.
It makes environmental and financial sense to back the tap!
- Manufacturing and transporting water in bottles is a resource-intensive and polluting industry, contributing to climate change.
- Bottled water costs thousands of times more than tap water – even though in many instances corporations are doing little more than repackaging treated municipal water.
- The best quality and most affordable water comes straight out of our taps.
Backing the tap counters the bottled water industry’s spin that bottled water is somehow safer or more regulated than what comes out of the taps in our communities.
It also takes a strong stand against privatization, at what is a critical time for water infrastructure in Canadian cities and towns. Municipalities are facing an ongoing and growing financial shortfall, as they work to deliver a wide range of services and infrastructure to expanding populations. Water and wastewater systems are in need of upgrading, expansion or new construction.
At the same time, the Conservative government is forcing municipalities to consider privatization through P3s in to access infrastructure funds. CUPE members can help solidify support for public water systems by going public about drinking water.
Are you planning to back the tap in your home, workplace or community?
Let us know what you’re doing, and we’ll be sure to share your story. And remember…every day is bottled water free day!
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Website: backthetap.ca
Facebook: Bottled Water Free Campuses and Communities
Twitter: @BackTheTap