Bottler for Arrowhead Water ordered to stop drawing water from California mountains

Environmental activists argue that this practice harms local wildlife, particularly in Strawberry Creek.Photo byMatt HardyonUnsplash

The federal government has supported California state regulators in ordering BlueTriton Brands, the company that bottles Arrowhead water, to cease drawing water from the San Bernardino Mountains. While BlueTriton has been sourcing water from these springs since 1906, environmental activists argue that this practice harms local wildlife, particularly in Strawberry Creek.

About a year ago, California’s Water Resources Control Board instructed BlueTriton to stop using the water, which flows through public lands, including the San Bernardino National Forest. On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Times reported that the U.S. Forest Service denied BlueTriton’s permit to extract water from these springs, reinforcing the state's directive.