Over 135,000 signatures have been gathered by an on the web community group, asking Nestlé to stop water bottling operations in California under the Arrowhead and Pure Life brands.

About 3 of 5 statewide water bottling operations have been operated by Nestlé in Southern California. If Nestlé does not discontinue, then the group, called Courage Campaign, will ask State Water Resources Control Board to get involved and shut the bottling operations.

Eddie Kurtz, executive director of the Courage Campaign said that using the groundwater, packaging it and selling it is not a good use of water. Spokeswoman Jane Lazgin said that Nestlé Water Ltd. has 1,700 employees in California. Kurtz said that Nestlés should place individuals over profits by stopping their water bottling operations in Cabazon and across the state.

According to Lazgin, the water that these two brand use in California in a year is equal to the amount applied by two typical California golf courses yearly. Kurtz said that the groundwater Nestlé is similar to tapping. There is a need that California should lead the way to stop a frivolous use of water during this time of drought. Kurtz also said that closing Nestlé will not provide solutions for California water. Water bottling operations have not been regulated by the State Water Resources.

"It's essential to note bottled water is a significant drought-relief tool getting utilized to immediately resolve distressed water provide troubles unrelated to the production of the bottled water in yet another area", said Tim Moran, spokesman for the State Water Resources Handle Board.