Nestlé Waters North America, the parent company of Poland Spring, made a sage decision to negotiate with its critics, who were gearing up for a second citizen campaign for a tax on commercial water extraction.

Although the first campaign for the first-in-the-nation tax fell short of the ballot qualification, its success persuaded proponents that a second iteration had a strong chance of succeeding. Nestlé apparently agreed, and elected to be involved, rather than wait out the process.

The result was a strengthening of government oversight of water extraction, a complicated issue, as regions (such as Rangeley and Kingfield) targeted by bottlers for extraction need the economic boost it provides.

At the same time, all residents of Maine need to have their water supplies protected. This bill applies to both by stiffening the environmental and statutory protections on aquifers, while avoiding economic roadblocks – like the proposed extraction tax – that could have put jobs in jeopardy.

Rep. Ted Koffman, D-Bar Harbor, called the bill a “pleasant surprise.” We have another word: refreshing.

Like a long drink of icy spring water.