British bottled water for TT parliament
By NALINEE SEELAL Monday, February 6 2012
THE INABILITY of the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament to get local bottled water manufacturers to produce purified water in glass bottles, led Parliament to broker an arrangement with the House of Commons in the United Kingdom to supply water for Tower D in Port-of-Spain.
Before moving to Tower D, officials at the TT Parliament approached several bottled water manufacturers locally asking them to produce purified water in glass bottles, but the companies reportedly declined.
This led to a special type of distilled water, in a glass bottle with the name Hildon, being imported for use in the parliament chamber.
Yesterday, sources revealed that although Hildon is served at the Parliament chamber, a filtered water system was recently introduced so that water could be served to the parliamentarians.
The filtered water is water produced by the Water and Sewerage Authority, which is then filtered for use by the parliamentarians.
However, sources revealed that there are times when Hildon water will be served to the parliamentarians.
Yesterday, Minister of Trade and Industry Stephen Cadiz told Newsday that as far as he is concerned, water from WASA is the best in the world and he has no problem drinking it.
However he added, that when parliament moved to Tower D and he enquired as to why water was being served in glass bottles, he was told that the Parliament had decided to go green and wanted to be more environmentally friendly.
He however pointed out, “I tried to find a local manufacturer who would bottle the water in glass bottles, but we were unsuccessful in doing so.
I grew up on WASA water and I have no problem drinking it.” Newsday also understands that the TT parliament through Clark of the House Jackie Sampson went as far as looking to the US market to get purified water in glass bottles, but it was proving to be too costly to import, therefore the decision was taken to go the route of getting the water from the House of Commons.
A source from the TT parliament said yesterday that the average cost for one of the 330 ml bottle of Hildon which is served to parliamentarians cost as little as TT$4 per bottle.
Hildon Natural Mineral Water comes from beneath the chalk hills of the beautiful Hampshire countryside in the South of England.
The water is wholesome, naturally filtered and crystal-clear.
It is free from pollution with a stable composition, being naturally low in sodium. The water is bottled at source and whether it is Delightfully Still or Gently Sparkling, has a distinctive, delicious taste.
Hildon has long been the water of choice at prestigious venues, such as The Savoy, The Royal Opera House, Guards Polo Club and the House of Commons, the company’s website said.
Disappointed....only bottled water.....why not toilet paper too!!.....
