Should Surrey get rid of bottled water?
According to the president of CUPE 402 and a Surrey school trustee, Laurie Larsen,
“It’s about trying to get the city more aware and to educate people more of how important it is not to buy into the philosophy that you have to buy bottled water. You really should be using reusable bottles.”
Larsen presented Surrey city council with a declaration on Sept. 12 that she hopes it will adapt and adopt.The declaration asks the city to phase out city use of bottled water and the availability of bottled water in city facilities, and promote the importance of city water.
It also asks that wherever possible and appropriate, the city encourage the installation of accessible drinking fountains in new and refurbished buildings, as well as new and refurbished parks and other public spaces.
Councillor Linda Hepner, who is also vice-chair of Metro Vancouver’s environment and energy committee, said she could see the city phasing out bottled water within its corporate operations.
Other cities that have said ‘no’ to bottled water include Burnaby and New Westminster.