Big Businesses Weigh In On Drought

Several companies including Coca-Cola and General Mills announced today they will work together to push for better water management in the state.

The businesses will watch the implementation of recently passed water bond and ground water legislation. They'll also urge local government to maximize water supplies through efforts like conservation and recycling. Jon Radtke is with Coca-Cola.

"I think it is somewhat unique to get the business community together and to have a voice promoting broad stakeholder engagement," he says, "instead of just working in our own little business or industry silos saying this water is ours, we want it for us."

As part of the collaboration, the companies are also being encouraged to look at their own operations for water saving opportunities. Ellen Silva is with General Mills. She says her company is looking for ways to promote smart water use.

"How can we tap into what’s happening? How can we help create new efforts? What is the unique piece of value that we can add to what should be a state led effort? But we realize that we have a part to play," she says.

Several companies say they're trying to reduce water use. For instance, Coca-Cola now uses air instead of water to clean bottles and cans before they're filled.