Coca-Cola's Water Extraction in Perth Hills Raises Concerns
Residents in the Perth Hills are raising concerns about Coca-Cola Europacific Partners extracting thousands of litres of water from a private property bore for its bottled water products. The company has been extracting water from the bore for over 20 years, and purchased the property in 2020 for $1.4 million.
While the company claims to be operating within the law and with permission from the City of Armadale, residents like Cathy Chmielewski are worried about the impact on local water resources, especially during Perth's record-breaking dry spell. Chmielewski, an orchardist, has witnessed firsthand the effects of dwindling water supplies on her property and others in the area.
Local resident Meg Travers echoes these concerns, highlighting the changing climate and its impact on the environment. She believes the agreement with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners needs to be reviewed and calls for proper monitoring of water extraction.
The situation raises questions about the sustainability of water extraction for bottled water production in the face of climate change and its impact on local communities.