Nestlé Waters avoids trial with €2m fine for illegal water drilling in France
Swiss group Nestlé has agreed to pay a €2 million fine following a settlement over illegal water drilling and unauthorised treatments for its mineral waters, including Vittel and Contrex.
The company water subsidiary, Nestlé Waters, reached a settlement known as a judicial public interest agreement (CJIP) on Tuesday with the prosecutor in Epinal, in eastern France.
The fine comes after two investigations revealed that Nestlé had been drilling without permits and using unapproved purification methods, including ultraviolet treatment and charcoal filters, in its water production.
The company acknowledged these actions and has since stopped the unauthorised treatments.
Prosecutor Frédéric Nahon said the fine must be paid within three months. He described the agreement as “the most significant environmental CJIP ever signed in France”.
Damage repair
Unlike a full trial, a CJIP does not result in a formal conviction but allows for the payment of fines and reparations without a declaration of guilt.
Alongside the fine, Nestlé Waters has committed to investing €1.1 million in an environmental restoration plan for two local rivers, the Petit-Vair and the Vair.
This plan will also focus on restoring wetlands in Vittel and Contrexéville, two towns closely linked to the company’s water production. The project will be supervised by the French Office for Biodiversity for the next two years.
Some organisations, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the settlement.
Read more on RFI English
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