Company looks for water in Montague Plains

[ Originally published on: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 ]

MONTAGUE -- Nestle Water North America is interested in exploring the Montague Plains with an eye toward tapping into the water beneath it as a source for spring water.

The company has approached the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, which owns about 1,500 acres of the plains, asking permission to walk the site and do some preliminary testing, taking samples from above-ground streams and testing the flow of those streams.

''You kind of caught us in the very preliminary stages of reaching out to the state, which are the owners of that property,'' said Brian Flaherty, director of public affairs for Nestle Waters North America. It's the first step in a multi-phase process that may or may not lead to the area being used as a source for spring water, he said. ''You caught us in the very, very early stages.''

Before they tour the property and do initial testing, Nestle officials plan to contact Montague town officials to introduce themselves and tell them about their interest in the site, Flaherty said.

At any one time, Nestle has about 50 different sites across the country it is considering as potential spring water sources, he said. ''As a company, we don't proceed with nine out of 10 that we initially explore.''

Nestle is also evaluating a site in Clinton and other sites in New York, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire.

''The demand for our company's bottled water is growing every year, so we are always in the process of evolving and finding new sites for good, quality water,'' Flaherty said

Nestle Waters North America started in 1976 as Perrier. The firm now sells 15 brands, including Perrier, Nestle, Poland Springs and Deer Park.

Nestle didn't need to ask permission to walk the land, since it is public, said Wayne F. MacCallum, director of the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. ''But, they've been up front about it, which is the way to go.'' He said several towns have been on state land, done preliminary testing of water and then asked permission to draw water off the site.

''It's a preliminary survey,'' he said of Nestle's investigations. ''A very preliminary survey. It might meet certain quality standards; it might not.''

MacCallum brought the issue before the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife board at its meeting this month. The board requested more information about the stream-flow testing.

If Nestle submits a formal, detailed proposal, board member Joseph Larson of Pelham said he doesn't think there would be a problem with the initial exploration. ''That's not very intrusive. I think they're trying to be very careful about it. If they want to go in and drill, that's another thing.''

Larson is the rare and endangered species representative on the board.

''Even if we are given permission to do testing, this is many steps ahead of determining whether this is something we want to proceed with,'' said Flaherty, adding there are many tests that staff scientists must do before that determination is made.

''If it's suitable, I expect they'll be back for permission for more detailed investigations,'' MacCallum said.

Whether the state would allow drilling for further testing would depend on the volume being drawn and the effect on the aquifer, MacCallum said.

''We need the property for fish and wildlife conservation, period. If they did any work it would have to be beneficial to fish and wildlife conservation. It couldn't be detrimental.

''I guarantee I will not allow the withdrawal of water if we don't understand the hydrology of the area because that (aquifer) is what runs the hatchery.''

But, if drawing water off the property is found to meet those standards, it could be allowed, he said. The area is protected open space, so a permanent easement would need to be granted through the Legislature, MacCallum said. The director of Fisheries and Wildlife can grant a temporary license, he said.

''It could be a win-win situation,'' he said, pointing to the potential benefits to the town of a new company and the financial benefits to state wildlife programs.

''We do a lot of science to make sure any resource where we are removing water is sustainable,'' said Flaherty.

Wherever it draws spring water, Nestle also needs to meet the approval of state and federal authorities, he said.

Why the plains?

When water companies look for potential spring water sources they typically look for fish hatcheries and cold water springs or cold spring-fed brooks, said MacCallum.

The Bitzer Fish Hatchery on Turners Falls Road is right across from the Montague Plains. ''The only water that can support trout has got to be high-quality, cold water,'' he said.

Nestle already has facilities near fish hatcheries; in Maine for Poland Springs and in Pennsylvania for Deer Park, said Flaherty.

''They tend to be very compatible with our operations,'' said Flaherty.

Also, Nestle looks at watershed quality, the quantity of water in the area, the quality of the water and the taste of the water, he said.

You can reach Arn Albertini at:aalberti@recorder.comor (413) 772-0261 Ext. 264

 

---