Around New England

Western Massachusetts Town Upholds Bottled Water Ban

August 8, 2018

Town Meeting voters in the western Massachusetts town of Great Barrington upheld a ban on bottled water, even though some of the town’s tap water comes from the rusty Housatonic River.

Voters supported the ban on bottles of still water 1 liter or less, first enacted this past May, on a 296-199 vote, according to the Berkshire Eagle.

Supporters say plastic bottles are hurting the environment and marine animals. Opponents say local businesses are being hurt by the ban and that individuals ought to be able to buy bottled water if they want.

Great Barrington, a town of about 7,100 in the southwest corner of the state, is only the fourth community in the United States to ban bottled water, according to the Berkshire Eagle.