In response to the drinking water contamination crisis in Flint, MI, International Bottled Water Association members have donated 1.5 million bottles of water. Bottlers are working with state, county and municipal emergency management agencies and emergency relief partners to provide water to those in need, IBWA said this week. Member companies are also coordinating donations. A major effort was announced by Nestle Waters North America, Walmart, Coke and Pepsi to provide up to 6.5 million bottles of water for 10,000 Flint public school students through the end of the year. 

IBWA president/CEO Joe Doss (above) says despite the crisis in Flint and other cities, the United States has the safest water supply in the world. The bottled water industry has long supported strong, reliable, public water systems, he adds.

“But when clean tap water is unavailable, the bottled water industry has been, and will always be, there to ensure that people have access to safe, quality water.”