ALEXANDRIA, VA — The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) issued the following statement in response to Governor Martin O’Malley’s adoption of guidelines restricting the use of state funds to purchase bottled water, according to a press release.

The recommendations were drafted by the Maryland Green Purchasing Committee, created and tasked by the legislature with “greening” state spending, stated the release.

“The recent announcement by Governor O’Malley endorsing the restriction of access to bottled water by Maryland state employees is disappointing. However, the action wisely allows bottled water to continue to be used by state facilities when tap water is not available, as well as in vending machines,” the statement said.

To read the entire press release, click here.