Water rights activists denounce the possible sale of Poland Spring, saying the buyer mentioned in news reports poses a ‘new threat’ to Maine’s water supplies
FRYEBURG, Maine – Water rights activists Saturday denounced the possible sale of bottled water brand Poland Spring, saying the buyer mentioned in news reports poses a new threat to state resources.
A crowd estimated to have reached around 100 organizers gathered in front of the gathering sponsored by Community Water Justice to voice their concerns.
Nickie Sekera, co-founder of the group, said she is concerned that a private equity firm is less responsive than Nestle, relieving the company of any responsibility it has promised to Maine communities.
Nestlé hasn’t been a good neighbor, “but at least a company like Nestle will be susceptible to a bad image to some extent,” she said.
Nestle announced in June that it was considering selling its bottled water brands in North America. In Maine, Nestle has more than half a dozen water sources and two bottling plants, employing 860 people.
Rally participants are concerned about news reports suggesting the Swiss company was negotiating the possible sale with One Rock Capital Partners LLC, a New York-based private equity firm.
Nestlé declined to comment on the negotiations. A One Rock spokesperson has not returned a message.
The brands sold include Deer Park, Ozarka, Ice Mountain, Zephyrhills and Arrowhead, in addition to Poland Spring.
Maulian Dana, Penobscot Nation tribal ambassador, said the Penobscot people “know how precious and life-giving water is to our tribal communities and the entire state.”
“We are against the proposed move from Nestle and One Rock Capital Partners – reminding our friends and neighbors that water is life,” she said in a statement.