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Bill Would Bar Some Long Island Government Workers from Buying Bottled Water |
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Thursday, 13 March 2008 |
The Suffolk Legislature, citing concerns about protecting the environment and saving energy, took the first step toward banning county government from buying bottled water for most departments and offices.
The measure, sponsored by Legis. Vivian Vilora Fisher (D-Setauket), was approved unanimously in the legislature's Ways and Means Committee in Hauppauge. The lawmaker said no opposition has surfaced to the measure, which is expected to come up for a vote before the full legislature Tuesday.
The bill would bar the county from spending any money on single-serving bottled water of 1 liter or less.
"There was a story in today's paper that the British government is doing the same thing, saying that tap water uses 300 times less energy than bottled water," Fisher told committee members. "I think they copied my bill."
One proponent, Neal Lewis, executive director of the Long Island Neighborhood Networks, noted that nationally the manufacture of plastic bottles consumes more than 17 million barrels of oil annually, and another 41 million barrels are wasted in filling, transporting, cooling and disposing of bottles.
"We're not saying all bottled water has to go," said Lewis, "but it's a trend that's out of hand."
Fisher also noted that as bottled water is treated as a soft drink it receives less testing than public water.
"I agree with getting rid of all the plastic," said Legis. Cameron Alden (R-Islip), although he backed the proposal only after he was assured there would be exemptions where problems occur.
Fisher's bill will not apply to any existing contracts with vending services, or the Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, which often gives out bottled water at emergency sites. It also gives the county health commissioner the power to grant waivers in cases where water supplied to a public building is deemed unsafe for consumption.
A similar measure is pending in the Nassau County Legislature, according to a spokesman.
Copyright (c) 2008, Newsday, Melville, N.Y.
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