No Battle Exists Over Water Rights

“Battle Springs Up Over Water Rights” (July 4) suggests there’s a problem where we believe none exists.

There is no question that the water we purchase from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians is natural spring water. The federal government sets the requirements for this designation, and the California Department of Health Services (as reported in the article) has certified that the water we bottle from that source complies in all respects.

The continued operation of our bottling plant and the hundreds of jobs it supports are not at risk. And the July 22 hearing mentioned in the article is not about water rights; it deals with the state water board’s own procedures. Moreover, the tribal water rights that enable us to purchase this water are not subject to the water board’s proceedings. Instead, these proceedings are focused on a different water right involving water that is not used to support our bottling operations.

The partnership between Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water and the Morongo Band has been one of the great success stories for the growing economy of the Inland Empire.

We appreciate and support the tribe’s determination to protect its natural resources.

Gareth Bowen

Plant Manager, Arrowhead

Mountain Spring Water

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