EAST PORTERVILLE , Calif. — Sept. 23, 2015 — Company members of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) recently donated more than 15,000 gallons of bottled water to a town hit hard by the nation’s severe drought, according to a press release.
Many families in East Porterville and surrounding Tulare County have been without running water for nearly two years, noted the release. Together, IBWA members Nestle Waters North America, DS Services, CG Roxanne and Absopure donated about 113,000 16.9-ounce bottles of water to the residents.
California assembly member Devon Mathis, who represents the region, contacted the IBWA to coordinate the event, stated the release.
"This event is a public example of what several California member companies have already been doing for some time and without any fanfare — helping communities in need by providing residents with safe, reliable bottled water during this very difficult drought," said IBWA Vice President of Communications Chris Hogan in the release.
"The bottled water industry wants to be part of the solution to California’s extreme drought," Hogan continued in the release. "We realize this effort provides only short-term relief and we know we can’t provide relief for every California community; however, we believe it’s important to engage and support where and when we can. "Bottled water is available in times such as these and other emergencies because the industry is strong and viable throughout the year."
The donation provided safe drinking water to the residents about one week, reported the release.
