The new water bottle refill station is installed and working. It was a long, grinding campaign, said Bruce Shoemaker, one of the residents who helped found Water for Citizens of Weed, CA, the group that fought to regain the citys rights to the spring. In 2018, the U.S.Attorney's Central District Office suedCG Roxane and two other companies that providetransportation and disposal services for the corporationinfederal court in 2018. According to an investigation by the EPAs Criminal Investigations Division and the Department of Transportations Office of Inspector General, Crystal Geyser produced thousands of gallons of arsenic-contaminated water at its Olancha, CA facility, about 200 miles north of Los Angeles. The company that producesCrystal Geyser bottled water has been ordered by a federal judge to pay $5 million in fines and serve three years probation for illegally storing and transporting arsenic-laced wastewater from one of their facilities in rural Eastern California,according to the Department of Justice. Did you know we were the first to introduce flavored sparkling water to the U.S.? A locked padlock Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water is the number one nationally distributed bottled spring water in the United States and is a product of CG Roxane. Bottled water is sold just about everywhere and is now the number one packaged beverage in the United States. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Jun 02, 2021, 09:00 ET NOVATO, Calif., June 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CG Roxane LLC, the privately held, family-owned and operated maker of Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water, today. I think its time for the state of California to assess whether it is in their interest for private companies to bottle water, Scow said. Or could it be bad for you? Water is our most important public resource.. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. LOS ANGELES - The company that produces "Crystal Geyser Natural Alpine Spring Water" was sentenced today to three years of probation and ordered to pay criminal fines totaling $5 million for illegally storing and transporting hazardous waste created from filtering arsenic out of spring water at its facility in Olancha, California. The company said the moves have made the service unreliable as too many drivers were selecting the most lucrative rides. We, on the other hand, build our bottling plants right at our mountain spring sources, Gavin Newsom. By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to consume alcohol. Legal Statement. Some of the water was transported to a hazardous waste facility in Los Angeles County. United States Attorney Nick Hanna said this negligence threatens the health and safety of Californias communities. Municipal tap water is heavily regulated by both the federal and state governments. Please turn your Ad Blocker off to see this content. Crystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water: 3.8 ppb. The indictment further alleges that, in March 2015, Crystal Geyser regenerated and back-flushed the sand filters and, it hired United Pumping and United Storm Water to transport the resulting several thousand gallons of high pH, arsenic-contaminated wastewater to a hazardous waste facility in Los Angeles County. Opponents say if it ever started operating, it would draw down too much water, and cause air and noise pollution. According to the indictment, Crystal Geyser, United Pumping, and United Storm Water transported the contents of the Arsenic Pond using non-hazardous waste manifests and did not identify the arsenic in the wastewater, even though they knew that the water constituted arsenic hazardous waste. Echoing the campaign storyline, a May 2022 study conducted by OnePoll, Americans are 60% more likely to purchase bottled water sourced from a natural spring within their region versus trucked in from another part of the country. Because as a consumer, you absolutely have the right to know where the water is fromand what is done to it prior to putting it into your body. It could settle in the groundwater.. Prep Time: 15 mins Crystal Geyser. Its not a perfect victory, but its still a victory., (This article is part of the California Today newsletter. For about 15 years, CG Roxane discharged the arsenic-contaminated wastewater into a manmade pond known as the Arsenic Pond at its Olancha facility along Highway 395 in Inyo County. Another Japanese trading company also recalled a popular dessert imported from China in October after finding chemical contamination in the custard-filled tarts. << Underground the Lassen Substation Power Lines! U.S.DistrictJudge Dolly M. Gee further ordered the company to implement a compliance program that will include yearly audits by a third party to ensure itcomplies with federal and state environmental laws. "Our nations environmental laws are specifically designed to ensure that hazardous wastes are properly handled from beginning to end from the point of generation to the point of disposal,"said U.S.Attorney Nick Hanna at the time the case was filed. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. All rights reserved. Crystal Geyser Is In Hot Water, Fined $5 Million for Hazardous Arsenic-Laden Waste The bottled water company pleaded guilty to two federal criminal charges and may have endangered both groundwater and wildlife Mali Maeder Written by Dakota Kim January 27, 2020 Share this story Crystal Geyser Natural Alpine Spring Water Reviews 2023 Beverages Water & Drinks Water Crystal Geyser Crystal Geyser Natural Alpine Spring Water More Options +19 more Choose option: Natural Alpine Spring Water Sport Natural Alpine Spring Water 35 Ct 16.9 oz 1.5 Lt Natural Alpine Spring Water 12 fl oz Crystal Geyser Consumers can check reported arsenic levels on bottled water by searching for the companys water quality report online or calling and asking for a copy. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Still, moderation is important. When the water that is holding chemicals like this evaporates, it creates a toxic dust that can blow around, Cunningham said. "At CG Roxane we are committed to serving our communities with natural alpine spring water," said CG Roxane VP of Manufacturing Lionel Ferchaud. Our plum sake sangria makes for the perfect spring time recipe. CG Roxane has been an environmental steward since it began operation in 1990, with the core founding principle of bottling spring water at its source. CG Roxane used sand filters to reduce the level of arsenic in itsdrinking water to meet federal requirements. 312 North Spring Street Crystal Geyser was founded in 1977 in Napa Valley, California. 'N' stands for neutral. Crystal Geyser simply did not offer enough transparency into the product they produce. Jefferson Public Radio | Crystal Geyser Water Company pioneered US-sourced and bottled sparkling mineral water with our flagship brand, Crystal Geyser Sparkling Water. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet. This case was opened due to the hazards posed by illegal management and transportation of hazardous wastes, said Special Agent-in-Charge Jay Green of the Environmental Protection Agencys criminal enforcement program in California. When we know, we will let you know! After $1.5 million in legal fees and countless hours of argument and activism, the City Council of that town, Weed, Calif., recently approved a deal securing use of the water in perpetuity. A judge ruled in favor of the residents, and an appeal by the timber company was ultimately dropped. But is Crystal Geyser spring water safe? Several other popular brands, including Crystal Geyser and Volvic sell bottled water with arsenic levels above what growing research suggests may be unsafe to drink, Consumer Reports found. It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. It is exactly the same today, and it's what separates us from every other U.S. bottled water company. With the help of pro bono lawyers, the residents argued that Roseburgs suit was an intimidation tactic, a strategic lawsuit against public participation, or SLAPP suit. To unlock unlimited content and other premium features, become a member for just $5 per month. SNAP EBT eligible. The federal standard for arsenic in bottled. View Product Very healthy and numerous health benefits. California Today goes live at 6:30 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. In 2015, Crystal Geyser hired United Pumping Services and United Storm Water, both based in Los Angeles County, to drain and transport the arsenic-contaminated water. [Los Angeles Times], Walgreens had not been following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the spacing of Pfizer vaccine doses. Japan has been hit by several high-profile incidents involving tainted food, including rice and soybeans, and Tokyo is considering creating a new, specialized agency to monitor food and product safety. Crystal Geyser sites use cookies and similar technologies. Published March 18, 2021 at 5:41 AM PDT. Gavin Newsom on Monday. Crystal Geyser agreed to buy the rights to the spring from Roseburg and then sell partial rights to the city for $1.2 million. Adam Scow, California director of Food and Water Watch, said he doubted the fine would amount to a threat to the companys business model. Company officials could not be reached for comment late Monday. We did not have a tradition of community activism until this came along. several brands of bottled water contain arsenic at concerning levels. Bottled water giant Crystal Geyser has been charged by a grand jury with 16 counts of violating environmental and . According to court records disclosed on July 19, Crystal Geyser created an "Arsenic Pond" in a remote part of eastern California between Death Valley and The Sequoia National Forest, and then didnt disclose that water they pumped out of the pond and delivered to water treatment plants was full of the poisonous heavy metal. [New York Times], A new virus variant that is thought to have been behind the surge of cases in India was detected in the Bay Area. 2021 Bottled Water Report Sources of Water Our geologists discovered remote, protected locations with spring water of remarkable quality and purity but that was only our first step. For the last five years, the city of Weed, California, has had to pay an Oregon-based lumber company . But this wasnt because the EWG detected a lot of impurities or toxins within the water itself. Follow along here or on Twitter. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of. The deal is a three-way agreement between the city, Roseburg and Crystal Geyser Roxane, a company that bottles mineral water from the spring. Additionally, excessive manganese consumption can lead to hypertension in patients over the age of 40. Plum Sake Sangria Serves 4 By using Crystal Geyser sites, you are agreeing to our revised. When the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board tested a sample taken from the pond in 2013, it found the wastewater there had arsenic concentrations that were eight times the hazardous waste limit. Send us your email and we'll send you product updates & coupons! It could then settle in other ponds, streams, and rivers. Before the plant was operated by Crystal Geyser it was a Coca-Cola bottling facility. by taking her from one of CG Roxane's seven natural spring sources deep within Northern California's Shasta National Forest followed by a tour of its plant at the foot of Mount Shasta, where its water is bottled. He can be reached at christopher.damien@desertsun.com or follow him at @chris_a_damien. Crystal Geyser was founded in 1977 in Napa Valley, California. The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Region (Water Board), finds: 1. Roseburg Forest Products owns the pine forest where the spring providing city water surfaces. The alleged behavior of the three companies charged in this indictment undermines that important objective and jeopardizes the safety of our community.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Discharger Crystal Geyser Roxane, LLC is the owner and operator of an existing spring water bottling facility near Olancha. The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, graduated from U.C. Very beneficial to your health. According to the indictment, in producing its bottled water, Crystal Geyser would draw water from natural sources that contained naturally occurring arsenic. Erik Neumann is JPR's news director. With 76% of Americans saying that they care about the environmental impact of the businesses they support, CG Roxane's priorities remain at the center of their two key areas of commitmentthe environment and its communities where they bottle Crystal Geyser. Stevens says her group would like someone to buy the plant for a different use that benefits the community. And of all the types of bottled water, Crystal Geyser received one of the lowest possible scores. Were the original, which is something not everyone can say these days. The remaining water was transported to a facility in Fontana, CA that was not permitted to the treat hazardous waste. Official websites use .gov