Deep well: Multinational firm told to submit IEEA report before further digging
Nestle spokesperson says the initial report has already been submitted.
ISLAMABAD:
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has directed a leading multinational food and beverages company to submit a comprehensive environment impact assessment (EIA) report along with a hydro area study and draw-down impacts before carrying out deep welling in the capital.
The multinational, Nestle, had applied for a no-objection certificate from EPA for extraction of more underground water by going deeper into its existing water extraction plant in Sector I-10.
However, the company, which claims to ensure that its bottled water is pure, safe and healthy to drink as certified by Pakistan Standards Quality Control Authority, is yet to submit a water investigation report regarding aquifer recharge and drawdown impacts on underground water and surrounding areas.
“The area where Nestle is intending to do deep welling to extract underground water is already facing an extreme water shortage. There is a need of an extensive study, particularly on aquifer recharge and drawdown impacts on the area,” said a director at EPA on the condition of anonymity.
He explained that EPA has also asked the company to disclose what it has invested for welfare of the local community as well as for improvement of environment related issues in respect of corporate social responsibility.
Aatika Mir, spokesperson for Nestle, told The Express Tribune that EPA had asked for an initial environment examination (IEEA) report which had been submitted and now the company is awaiting EPA’s response.
“EIA is needed for projects which cost more than Rs100 million, while the cost of Nestlé’s project is less than that amount thus there is no need for it,” she said, and added that Nestle was always compliant with government regulations and would not start drilling until fulfilling all requirements of EPA and other government departments.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2014.
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has directed a leading multinational food and beverages company to submit a comprehensive environment impact assessment (EIA) report along with a hydro area study and draw-down impacts before carrying out deep welling in the capital.
The multinational, Nestle, had applied for a no-objection certificate from EPA for extraction of more underground water by going deeper into its existing water extraction plant in Sector I-10.
However, the company, which claims to ensure that its bottled water is pure, safe and healthy to drink as certified by Pakistan Standards Quality Control Authority, is yet to submit a water investigation report regarding aquifer recharge and drawdown impacts on underground water and surrounding areas.
“The area where Nestle is intending to do deep welling to extract underground water is already facing an extreme water shortage. There is a need of an extensive study, particularly on aquifer recharge and drawdown impacts on the area,” said a director at EPA on the condition of anonymity.
He explained that EPA has also asked the company to disclose what it has invested for welfare of the local community as well as for improvement of environment related issues in respect of corporate social responsibility.
Aatika Mir, spokesperson for Nestle, told The Express Tribune that EPA had asked for an initial environment examination (IEEA) report which had been submitted and now the company is awaiting EPA’s response.
“EIA is needed for projects which cost more than Rs100 million, while the cost of Nestlé’s project is less than that amount thus there is no need for it,” she said, and added that Nestle was always compliant with government regulations and would not start drilling until fulfilling all requirements of EPA and other government departments.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2014.