HB1141

Poor people need to have good and sufficient food.

I strongly support HB1141 because prohibiting groundwater extraction for plastic-bottle production protects New Hampshire’s aquifers, reduces plastic waste, and prevents long-term environmental harm. This is a responsible step to safeguard our water resources for residents and future generations.

I support the original HB1141, which would protect our supply of ground water and would decrease our consumption of plastic and its attendant microplastics. The amendment that has been added is not germane, and should be dealt with as a separate bill, or by using a bill number for a bill that has already been defeated.

Single-use bottles are predominantly made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Over the 450 years it takes for a bottle to decompose, it releases over 150 unique chemicals, including antimony, a heavy metal used in production, and phthalates, known hormone disruptors. Once leached, these potential carcinogens can accumulate in the liver, kidney, and other organs. Studies have revealed that approximately 90% of bottled water contains microplastic particles, with each particle releasing this chemical cocktail to consumers. This problem extends beyond the bottled water directly consumed by any one consumer. With a recycling rate of only about 5%, most of these bottles end up in landfills, where they inevitably leach back into our drinking water, posing a risk for every citizen of our state, not just the purchaser of the product. We are still living in the shadow of Saint Gobain’s poisoning and still waiting for remediation. We don’t need to recreate this tragedy by turning a blind eye to the facts. I understand the challenges faced by bottlers in considering transportation costs to remain competitive. I would have more sympathy if I could see a voluntary shift to either aluminum or glass bottles or good legislation would level the playing field by requiring proper packaging materials from all bottlers. However, allowing these bottlers to pollute our environment exhausts my sympathy.

I support HB1141 to protect public water resources from corporate extraction and environmental harm while prioritizing sustainable use of shared natural resources

I totally support this bill. We cannot allow for profit companies drain the ground water and put it in plastic! .

#1 NH well and municipal water is of excellet quality. In most instances bottled water is not neccessary. And when it is, glass or can containers can by the bottling choice. NH can be a leader on this issue as we have all learned about plastics contamination down to micro-plastic size, airborne. That there are no Repulican co-sponsors of this bill is a concerning sign of how environmental issues have become hyper-partisan. Historically Republican presidents lead the way -- Clean Air, Clear Water acts, founding EPA -- in tune with strong national sentiment. Which is how a democracy works best -- responding to the will of the people.

Our groundwater is essential for people who live rural NH and have wells for their home water. We should not be emptying our groundwater for bottled water at the expense of the rural population of NH.

I support this bill

Hb 1141 I strongly support this bill for the following reasons: In short, this bill strengthens our NH economy: improves bottled water quality, protects public health and decreases harm from plastic pollution. A proposed plastic water bottling operation in Claremont is deeply concerning to me regarding ancestral lands my family stewards over the past 9 generations. massive water withdrawals, disrupting our aquifers, and plastic pollutants can adversely impact unique natural communities, threatened and endangered species HB 1141 constructively expands the protection of our water resources. NH drinking water is inadequately protected under current laws. DES approval and other regulations are there to prevent irresponsible groundwater withdrawals, but these laws do not sufficiently protect water quality after withdrawal. HB 1141 is crucial to protect especially our drinking water quality. Current regulations to limit pollutants in bottled water are woefully inadequate, lagging far behind substantial proven science, and serious health impacts from pollutants and contamination. In addition, limited NH DES funding constrains their ability to monitor bottled water. Our NH reputation will be enhanced by requiring new bottling operations to use a higher standard than polluting plastics. Only a fraction of plastic bottles are recycled. This bill will reduce a significant portion of municipal waste, and these plastic bottles persist in the environment. I urge your support of HB 1141 to improve our N.H economy, water, and health . Donna Montenegro Claremont, ward 1

I am a resident of Meriden village in Plainfield and am writing to voice my strong support of this bill. It should go without saying that groundwater is a precious resource that needs to be protected, not exploited for profit and sent away. This seems especially obvious as New Hampshire continues to experience unprecedented drought. I urge you to pass this bill into law, for the protection of our natural world and for our local residents. Thank you.

Not only is our water precious and should be saved for NH citizens, but we need to do whatever we can to stop using plastic bottles. If we allow this water to be bottled in plastic, we are only enabling the use and proliferation of this harmful waste.

This bill strengthens the NH economy Improves bottled water quality Increases public health and reduces harm from plastic pollution

I strongly support this bill for the following reasons: In short, this bill strengthens our NH economy: improves bottled water quality, protects public health and decreases harm from plastic pollution. A proposed plastic water bottling operation in Claremont is deeply concerning to me regarding ancestral lands my family stewards over the past 9 generations. massive water withdrawals, disrupting our aquifers, and plastic pollutants can adversely impact unique natural communities, threatened and endangered species HB 1141 constructively expands the protection of our water resources. NH drinking water is inadequately protected under current laws. DES approval and other regulations are there to prevent irresponsible groundwater withdrawals, but these laws do not sufficiently protect water quality after withdrawal. HB 1141 is crucial to protect especially our drinking water quality. Current regulations to limit pollutants in bottled water are woefully inadequate, lagging far behind substantial proven science, and serious health impacts from pollutants and contamination. In addition, limited NH DES funding constrains their ability to monitor bottled water. Our NH reputation will be enhanced by requiring new bottling operations to use a higher standard than polluting plastics. Only a fraction of plastic bottles are recycled. This bill will reduce a significant portion of municipal waste, and these plastic bottles persist in the environment. I urge your support to improve our N.H economy, water, and health . Cornelia Sargent Claremont, ward 2

Dear House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee Members, Please support HB 1141 to help expand the protection of our water sources as deliniated in RSA 485-C:21; HB 1141 protects NH's reputation of producing high quality bottled water and drinks due to the harmful chemicals that leach out of plastic bottles into the fluid in the bottles; and HB 1141 reduces plastic pollution, which is a horrible blight on our countryside and streets. Thank you for supporting HB 1141! Rebecca MacKenzie Claremont, NH

Please support HB 1141 which addresses the issue of groundwater extraction for the purpose of bottled water.    We are learning more and more about the toxicity of plastic in so many of our everyday products. In addition, clean, safe drinking water is a valuable resource which we should vitally protect. This bill would prohibit bottling our pristine water unto poisonous plastic bottles.

I am writing in support of HB1141. As a small farmer in New Hampshire, I am keenly aware of the drought conditions that we are still living with. Pastures and crop land have not recovered from this drought, and the thought of using ground water to put in plastic bottles or for use in a plastic bottling facility is outrageous. PLEASE support New Hampshire farmers by supporting HB1141. This drought is widespread, not localized, and in spite of recent snowstorms, we are still in a drought. This most essential resource for our livestock and land must not be wasted by putting it in plastic bottles. Please support this bill. Thank you.

Dear Committee Members, I heartily support this bill to save plastic waste. Let NH be a leader in minimizing the amount of plastic being produced and allowed to enter the global environment. None of us need more microplastics in our bodies! ~Margaret Fletcher

Lets not expand the number of crises to our residents. Bottling water will only create an additional resource strain on our residents. Not to mention the zoning and environmental impact considerations. Support this bill.

I hope that you will support HB 1141. Given all the problems with single use plastic bottles, why needlessly add to the waste stream? Thank you, Jane Walsh

Drawing ground water to fill plastic bottles as a business or for recreation should be prohibited. The Climate crisis should be an ever present reminder of how precious our water resources are. Extracting ground water for a water business especially using plastic bottles is not only unsafe for our health but it drains the ground water supply used by homes, apartments, small businesses etc. Last summer into fall we had a drought in NH and my neighbor’s wells went dry and caused great distress in our community. These particular wells are fed by an aquifer where a home owner is now petitioning our town to draw from this resource to start a water bottling business. The members of the public are up in arms at the thought of 21,000 gallons of water being drawn each day which would most certainly dry up wells should there be a drought. Please help save our water sources from extraction. We are definitely going to need them in the future. Thank you. Kathy Manfre

I support this bill that would prohibit large volumes of groundwater being extracted by commercial companies that would then be placed in plastic bottles. We need limit our plastic pollution both from the bottles themselves becoming part of the waste stream and also the migration of microplastics into the water itself.

Water protection regarding Pennichuck in Nashua & the recent sale of water supply to NO GFU Springs of China. Keeps NH water supply out of plastic bottling industry. SUPPORT HB1141

What this planet doesn't need is more plastic packaging and plastic waste. Please support this bill.