Primo Water Earns First Certification for Spring Water Source under Alliance for Water Stewardship
SCS Global Services Announces Certification of Pilot Project Site in Pennsylvania
Today, SCS Global Services (SCS), a global leader in third-party certification of sustainability performance, announced that Primo Water Corporation (NYSE: PRMW) (TSX: PRMW) has become the first company to have a spring water source certified under the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) program. SCS confirmed this certification based on an independent, in-depth assessment of Primo’s pilot project – its Diamond Spring site in Pennsylvania. The AWS International Water Stewardship Standard is a comprehensive global benchmark for responsible water stewardship.
“Primo has pioneered an innovative approach to applying the AWS International Standard, demonstrating that it can be applied to water sources as well as water management facilities,” said Rae Mindock, SCS Program Manager for Water Certification. “This certification demonstrates their success in providing stewardship for vital freshwater resources at the source.”
AWS certification demonstrates that Primo has addressed five aspects of responsible water stewardship: good water governance, sustainable water balance, good water quality, important water-related areas, and safe water, sanitation and hygiene.
“We joined the Alliance for Water Stewardship in 2019 as part of our commitment to ensuring our water usage and conservation efforts meet internationally recognized standards,” said Tom Harrington, Chief Executive Officer, Primo Water Corporation. “Certification of our Diamond Spring site confirms that thorough measures are being taken to protect the catchment and ensure its continuous yield year after year, which is in natural alignment with AWS requirements.”
The success of the pilot project now opens the door to certification of additional sites, according to Harrington. “We are in the process of certifying our Wekiva Spring site in Florida and intend to begin the certification process for our Georgia and Arkansas spring water sources next year; our goal is to have all of our key owned spring water sources certified by the AWS by the end of 2022,” he explained.
Primo worked with EARTHRES, an engineering consultancy specializing in beverage manufacturing services, to assist in the AWS certification process for this pilot project.
“We are proud to partner with Primo, and congratulate the company on this groundbreaking achievement,” said Scott R. Campbell, Senior Project Manager and Commercial Sector Lead at EARTHRES. “We have been consistently impressed by Primo management’s dedication to water stewardship and sustainable resource management. They have been meticulous in their efforts to mitigate risk to the watershed by ensuring the quality and volume of source water with thorough testing and regular monitoring.”
About Primo Water Corporation
Primo Water Corporation is a leading pure-play water solutions provider in North America, Europe and Israel and generates approximately $2.1 billion in annual revenue. Primo operates largely under a recurring razor/razorblade revenue model. The razor in Primo’s revenue model is its industry leading line-up of sleek and innovative water dispensers, which are sold through major retailers and online at various price points or leased to customers. The dispensers help increase household penetration which drives recurring purchases of Primo’s razorblade offering. Primo’s razorblade offering is comprised of Water Direct, Water Exchange, and Water Refill. Through its Water Direct business, Primo delivers sustainable hydration solutions across its 21-country footprint direct to the customer’s door, whether at home or to commercial businesses. Through its Water Exchange and Water Refill businesses, Primo offers pre-filled and reusable containers at over 13,000 locations and water refill units at approximately 22,000 locations, respectively. Primo also offers water filtration units across its 21-country footprint representing a top five position.
Primo’s water solutions expand consumer access to purified, spring and mineral water to promote a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle while simultaneously reducing plastic waste and pollution. Primo is committed to its water stewardship standards and is proud to partner with the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) in North America as well as with Watercoolers Europe (WE), which ensure strict adherence to safety, quality, sanitation and regulatory standards for the benefit of consumer protection.
Primo is headquartered in Tampa, Florida (USA). For more information, visit www.primowatercorp.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and applicable Canadian securities laws conveying management's expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Primo makes the statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and Primo cautions you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to statements regarding future certifications by the AWS of Primo’s owned spring water sources. The forward-looking statements are based on assumptions regarding management’s current plans and estimates. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures, including but not limited to risk factors contained in Primo’s Annual Report in the Form 10-K and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other periodic reports filed with the securities commissions. Primo does not, except as expressly required by applicable law, undertake to update or revise any of these statements in light of new information or future events.
About SCS Global Services
SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. For more information, visit www.scsglobalservices.com.
About Alliance for Water Stewardship North America
Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) is a global network dedicated to advancing and deepening the impact of credible water stewardship. AWS ignites and nurtures global and local leadership in credible water stewardship that recognizes and secures the social, cultural, environmental and economic value of freshwater. Through its collaborative work, AWS inspire water users and managers to be responsible stewards of freshwater resources. The Water Council is the official North American regional partner of the AWS. Learn more at www.awsnorthamerica.com.
About EARTHRES
EARTHRES provides exceptional engineering and environmental services to clients in the Energy, Mining, Solid Waste, Manufacturing, Commercial, and Government sectors, and provides specialized beverage manufacturing services for the Food & Beverage industry. This includes developing and permitting spring and groundwater sources; SOI determinations; plant engineering/optimization; water treatment design; SCADA automation/remote monitoring; FSMA compliance plans; and AWS sustainability evaluations. EARTHRES is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Find out more about EARTHRES at www.earthres.com.