WASHINGTON - May 26 - “The attention received by the recent inauguration of five WaterHealth Centers in Ghana by PepsiCo and the Safe Water Network is best viewed in the larger context of PepsiCo’s overall environmental and water footprint. This is yet another attempt by a large corporation to “bluewash” their reputation. PepsiCo has faced extensive and well-deserved criticism around the world for depleting groundwater resources, undertaking unsustainable inter-basin water transfers and polluting water sources, all of which leave these local communities and ecosystems suffering from increased water scarcity and degraded water quality. Clearly PepsiCo makes unconscionable profits through the abuse and access to water in many parts of the world, and a small project in Ghana does not alter this terrible reality.

“We hope that these five water centers do secure the human right to water for those few who benefit from the little over one million dollar a year contribution that PepsiCo is making to this three year project. We also think that all those communities where PepsiCo is doing harm also deserve their human right to water to be respected and that the environmental harm PepsiCo is inflicting on these ecosystems is not acceptable, nor mitigated by this initiative.

“We also call upon PepsiCo and the media that reported favorably on this initiative to commit to proper follow-up to ensure that the promises Pepsi has made to these communities are fulfilled. It is even more important that those places where people are fighting against the impacts that PepsiCo is having in their communities also receive a chance to get their stories told and to be able to challenge this corporation’s questionable commitment to sustainable water and water as a human right.

“A few years ago the people of Pudussery, India were able to get local authorities to revoke PepsiCo’s water license because of the company’s impacts on their groundwater. Others continue to fight, and these are the communities where PepsiCo can dramatically improve the quality of life for people by immediately stopping its unsustainable environmental practices. We call for people around the world to stand up for these communities and for water justice – and against these large multinational corporations wielding such immense power. Water is life.”