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Credit: PHILIPPE MONTIGNY\/Shutterstock.<\/p>\n
Nestl\u00e9\u2019s water business has been authorised by the Vosges prefecture\u202fin France to carry out exploratory water borehole drilling.<\/p>\n
The project intends to identify sources for the company\u2019s mineral water brand H\u00e9par, according to an order published by the prefecture Wednesday (11 June).<\/p>\n
It is expected to take place in the Vittel and They-Sous-Monfort regions of eastern France.<\/p>\n
The company\u2019s water unit Nestl\u00e9 Waters told Just Drinks: \u201cExploring new drilling is a usual part of natural mineral water activity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in an exploratory phase, conducting geological surveys, to assess if there are opportunities for H\u00e9par mineral water.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2023<\/a>, the Contrex water producer announced it was to stop extracting water for its H\u00e9par brand from two mineral water wells in Vosges after facing \u201cprolonged periods of drought and heavy rain\u201d.<\/p>\n According to the prefecture\u2019s latest order, the full project \u201cmust take place within three years\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n Any major project changes must be re-declared by Nestl\u00e9 to the prefecture.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The decision could still be subject to appeals, which must be filed within two months through the Administrative Court of Nancy or online via T\u00e9l\u00e9recours Citoyens.\u00a0Additional appeals can be made to the prefect or the Minister of the Environment.\u00a0<\/p>\n Last month, French authorities ordered Nestl\u00e9 to remove system filters<\/a> from its Verg\u00e8ze and Vosges sites, which produce bottled water brands such as Perrier and Contrex.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nestl\u00e9\u2019s water business told\u00a0Just Drinks\u00a0at the time it was \u201cdetermined to seek solutions to the requests of the Prefects of the Gard and Vosges to withdraw, within two months, the 0.2 micron microfiltration\u201d.<\/p>\n It said in a brief statement that a \u201ctechnical solution\u201d had already been found for the Vosges location, which will impact Contrex and H\u00e9par, but the plan still \u201cmust be validated by authorities\u201d.<\/p>\n The Vittel brand \u201cis not affected by this type of microfiltration\u201d, the group said.<\/p>\n \n Sign up for our daily news round-up! Just Drinks Excellence Awards – Have you nominated?<\/p>\n Nominations are now open for the prestigious Just Drinks Excellence Awards<\/strong><\/a> – one of the industry’s most recognised programmes celebrating innovation, leadership, and impact<\/strong>. This is your chance to showcase your achievements, highlight industry advancements<\/strong>, and gain global recognition<\/strong>. Don’t miss the opportunity to be honoured among the best – submit your nomination today!<\/p>\n![\"Email](\"https:\/\/www.just-drinks.com\/wp-content\/themes\/goodlife-wp-B2B\/assets\/images\/newsletter-new.svg\")
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