BlueTriton Brands Ordered To Cease Water Collection From San Bernardino National Forest

The company that sells Arrowhead bottled water has been ordered to cease taking water from San Bernardino National Forest. BlueTriton Brands has received a directive from the U.S. Forest Service to dismantle its infrastructure, which includes a pipeline in Strawberry Creek and boreholes drilled into the mountainside. This order comes amidst ongoing concerns about the environmental impact of water extraction in this sensitive area.

The firm has been sourcing water from springs in this region for its Arrowhead 100% Mountain Spring Water since 1906. However, environmental activists have long voiced concerns, arguing that the removal of water is detrimental to local wildlife, particularly in the Strawberry Creek ecosystem. These concerns have gained traction over the years, leading to increased scrutiny of BlueTriton's operations.

Last September, California regulators ordered BlueTriton to halt usage of certain springs in the San Bernardino Mountains. While this order did not completely bar the company from using the water, it significantly curtailed the amount they could extract. Now, with the Forest Service denying BlueTriton Brands' application for a new permit, the company faces even stricter limitations.

In a letter dated July 26, District Ranger Michael Nobles explained that the agency had "repeatedly requested BlueTriton to provide information necessary" regarding water use from SBNF lands, but these requests went unanswered. He noted that BlueTriton had "not sufficiently demonstrated" compliance with requirements aimed at minimizing adverse effects on groundwater aquifers.

BlueTriton, which has consistently denied that its operations harm the environment, claims to have "continuously operated under a series of special use permits for nearly a century." In response to the Forest Service's directive, the company has filed legal action against the agency. They argue that this denial lacks legal merit and negatively impacts the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, who rely on the water for firefighting purposes.

The tribe, which utilizes some of the water flowing through the pipeline, has not commented on the recent developments. However, BlueTriton has stated that "the findings and robust data set developed through these multi-year hydrological and ecological studies" demonstrate no significant environmental impact in the Strawberry Canyon watershed. The spokesperson emphasized that their careful management of resources for over a century has not harmed the local ecosystem, asserting that credible evidence to the contrary has never been presented.

As the situation unfolds, both the Forest Service and BlueTriton have been contacted for further comments, indicating the potential for ongoing legal and regulatory battles in the future. The outcome of this dispute could set important precedents for water extraction and environmental protection in protected areas.