This is in response to Karen Hebold’s guest column. (March 2.)

We respect Hebold’s focus on environmental impacts of individual and collective actions – in this instance, the use of bottled water. At Poland Spring Bottling Co., we are focusing like a laser on lessening our carbon footprint, and encouraging our employees and customers to do the same.

At the same time, we are proud of our role in providing a healthy bottled drink at a time when obesity is epidemic.

Indeed, 70 percent of people who drink bottled water are choosing water rather than less healthy sugary beverages. And 75 percent of bottled water drinkers also drink tap water.

These are positive trends, and at Poland Spring and our parent company, Nestle Waters, we think it’s important for people to drink more water, bottled and tap.

Regarding our water resources in Maine, Hebold seems to display some misunderstanding. Water level data (which is publicly available) clearly shows Maine aquifers are not “depleted by withdrawal” as she suggests.

The resources we use come from robust spring sources that are replenished through precipitation and the natural movement of groundwater. Homeowner wells are not drying up, and claims about estuary and recreational impacts from withdrawing spring water are at odds with the scientific facts.

We are sure of this because we are required to constantly test and monitor the resources we use.

Whether protecting thousands of open space acres or providing scientific data about Maine’s valuable resources, water protection is our most important mission.

Mark Dubois, Poland Spring

Natural Resource Manager, Poland Spring Bottling Co.