Major multinational corporations are extracting billions of litres of water from UK aquifers annually to produce bottled water, raising concerns about resource allocation. The Guardian has revealed that companies like Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and Danone dominate the bottled water market in Britain, leveraging licences to tap into the country’s natural water sources.
Coca-Cola Tops the List of Water Extraction in England
Coca-Cola leads the extraction figures, holding licences to withdraw up to 1.59 billion litres annually from boreholes in Sidcup, Kent, for its soft drinks. Additionally, it can extract 377 million litres of water from Morpeth, Northumberland, to produce its Glaceau Smartwater and Abbey Well brands.
Other major players in the UK water market include:
* Sources Alma (France): Through its subsidiary Roxane, it extracts 1.5 billion litres annually in Cumbria for Tesco’s Ashbeck water and Aqua Pura.
* Nestlé Waters (Switzerland): Holds licences to withdraw 880 million litres annually for its Buxton and Pure Life brands in Derbyshire and Pembrokeshire.
* Schwarz Group (Germany): Bottles water for Lidl with a licence to extract 700 million litres in Derbyshire.
* Danone (France): Acquired Harrogate Spring Water and can extract 460 million litres annually.
* Highland Spring (Scotland): Dominates in Scotland with a licence for 1.85 billion litres annually, though it uses just 32% of this allocation.
Concerns Over Resource Allocation
While bottled water accounts for just 0.05% of water abstraction in England, 0.2% in Scotland, and 0.08% in Wales, critics argue the industry targets the highest quality drinking water, potentially impacting public supply during shortages. Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, the UN special rapporteur for water, highlighted the issue, pointing out cases in Spain and Latin America where locals faced drinking water shortages while bottled water companies continued operations.
Similar concerns arose during the UK’s hot summer in 2022. Farmers in Ludchurch, Wales, faced water restrictions while Nestlé extracted millions of litres from local sources. Nestlé defended its practices, citing its commitment to the Alliance for Water Stewardship and environmental stewardship certifications.
Market Concentration and Local Impact
The bottled water market in Britain is highly concentrated, with five companies accounting for 83% of sales, according to Zenith Global:
* Sources Alma/Roxane: 38% market share.
* Nestlé: 14%.
* Highland Spring: 12%.
* Danone: 10%.
* Shepley Spring (UK-owned): 9%, extracting 600 million litres annually in Yorkshire for brands like Ice Valley and White Rock.
Types of Bottled Water in the UK
Bottled water in the UK is categorized as follows:
* Natural Mineral Water: Sourced and bottled at a natural underground source, with a guaranteed mineral composition.
* Spring Water: Sourced and bottled at the source but may undergo treatment.
* Bottled Water: Can come from various sources, including treated tap water.
Coca-Cola leads global bottled water sales, while Nestlé’s Pure Life is the top-selling single brand worldwide. The Environment Agency assures strict conditions for water bottling licences, which represent less than 1% of total abstraction licences in the UK.
