HEADWATERS
Several potential development threats loom for the unstudied and unprotected aquifers. The bottling industry views the local springs as an ideal source for its operations, not only because of the ample supplies of pristine water but also due to the lack of regulations and oversight. Crystal Geyser's plan to spend $50 million to upgrade and re-open a bottling plant in the town of Mt. Shasta has become a lightening rod of controversy in the community, pitting pro-business advocates who see an opportunity to add much-needed jobs to the region against residents who fear a negative impact on their local wells and water supply. Although Crystal Geyser is confident that their operations won't negatively affect the springs or groundwater, their plans naturally raise questions about the vulnerability of the local aquifer.
Crystal Geyser Monitoring
Volcanic Aquifer Fun Facts:
Pumps 1.7 billion gallons a day
into Shasta Reservoir, or 2
million acre-feet per year
Accounts for 40% of the state's
hydropower generation
In the early 1900s, Shasta River accounted for 50% of the Klamath's Chinook salmon population