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From WCTV By Candace Sweat 11/08

Nestle water company has faced serious opposition from Wacissa residents ever since announcing that they're interested in setting up shop to bottle water from Wacissa Springs
But even with all the back and forth debate, there's a third party who says the decision is ultimately theirs to make. The Suwannee River Water Management District says Nestle has not yet submitted an official application to take water from Wacissa Springs. But they say if Nestle does submit an application, they'll have a lot of criteria to meet before getting the green light.

William Jones says he's lived near Wacissa Springs all his life. And when times were tough, it was that same body of water that helped him make it through.
"I was hurt one time, no way to make a living, couldn't get a job. My wife and I got in a boat on that river and caught catfish day in and day out, and I fed my family and I paid my bills from that water," said Jones. Jones got word that Nestle Water Company is looking at Wacissa Springs as a potential spot for a water bottling plant. And like many others in Wacissa, he's concerned there will damaging effects on the river.

Nestle representatives say they understand resident's concerns, but say *if* they're given the green light to take water from the spring, they would only be taking less than one percent of it's total volume.

Ultimately, its the Suwannee River Water Management District will give Nestle the go-ahead, or send them packing. "If they use any of that water they have to demonstrate that they will not cause harm to those water resources. They can't change that flow rates in any water body that would be harmful to fish, recreation, wildlife or aesthetics, and they have to make a demonstration of that," said Jon Dinges, Director of Water Supply and Resources for the SRWMD.
Dinges says if Nestle applies for a permit to take water from the spring, it could take up to six months before a decision is made.

Again, Nestle has not yet made a request to begin the operation. Right not they're still in the research phase.

Dinges says even if Nestle is given a permit, that permit can be revoked at any time if they feel the river or anything involved with the river is in jeopardy of being damaged.