Alexandria, VA – Legislators in Olympia are considering removing the state’s sales tax exemption for bottled water, a federally regulated food product, in order to make headway in balancing the state budget.“Unfortunately, for many citizens of Washington, this ill-advised sales tax proposal is a major step backwards as many in the state rely on bottled water for their health and well-being,” said Tom Lauria, Vice President of Communications for the International Bottled Water Association.

Bottled water is regulated as a food at the federal and state level and should not be unfairly singled out for taxation. It is also covered as a food item under the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps).

For some consumers – such as chemotherapy and transplant patient, elderly, infants or those with immune deficiencies, such as HIV and AIDS – bottled water is the only option for their daily water needs. It is unfair to single out one of the most important ingredients to their diet.

Bottled water is not a luxury product. It is indispensable to victims during emergency situations, such as fires, earth quakes or compromised public water systems. Washington should not tax a product essential to sustaining victims of disaster. Many citizens prepare for natural disasters by buying bottled water and storing it in their homes. Look no further than the devastating flooding in the western part of Washington State in early 2009. In addition, the bottled water industry has rapidly stepped to the front and donated water in emergency situations. It is bad public policy to tax citizens and bottled water companies for their efforts to manage emergency situations.

All taxes should be broad-based and fair. Singling out bottled water from other food products for taxation will not provide a substantial or stable source of revenue for government funding. It will cost jobs and hurt the small bottled water companies in Washington that support their communities and contribute to the economic vitality of the state. IBWA estimates that the tax will cost more than 300 jobs in Washington. It is a high price to pay to raise less than $30 million (less than 5% of the revenue needed in the House proposed tax package).In addition, a tax on food, including bottled water, is regressive. It has the greatest impact on lower-income households who can least afford the burden.

“Bottled water is a very healthy choice within the beverage market. It contains no calories, additives, cholesterol or sweeteners and is an essential element for some to meet their hydration needs. Tax policy should never discourage people from making healthy choices in their diet,” Lauria said.