NRAR finds high compliance within water bottling industry

The Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) has found 92 per cent of mineral water bottling and extraction companies in the Southern Highlands, Lithgow, Oberon, Hawkesbury, the Northern Rivers and the Central Coast are compliant with NSW water laws.

NRAR visited water bottlers across NSW in January, August and September of this year to determine industry compliance levels.

NRAR’s Director of Regional Water Regulation (East) Graeme White said he was encouraged to see such high levels of compliance within the industry.

“We are pleased to see so many water bottlers doing the right thing and following the rules laid out in their licences and approvals,” he said.

“Our officers visited 53 approval holders this year and identified only four sites with compliance issues.

“We have issued formal warning letters to four sites and are pleased to report that they have all taken steps to bring their operations into compliance.

“It’s important for NRAR, and the community, to feel confident that the water bottling industry is doing the right thing and that water use is fair and sustainable.”

The regulator collected evidence using a range of methods, including desktop assessments, site inspections and interviews with property holders or occupants during site inspections.

NRAR officers adhere to all NSW Health COVID-19 guidelines during site visits to ensure the safety of landholders, the community and themselves.

To see the work NRAR does, go to its public register on the NRAR website industry.nsw.gov.au/nrar. Go to ‘Reports and data’, then ‘NRAR Public Register’.

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