Bowing To Pressure, Starbucks Moves Sourcing Of Ethos Water Outside Of Drought-Stricken California

A week after multiple sources called out Starbucks for sourcing Ethos Water — the $1.95-per-bottle water that is meant to benefit global water charities — from California during the state's incredibly severe, multiple-year drought, the company has announced that it will move its operations elsewhere.

"Beginning the first week of May and over the next six months, Starbucks plans to move production to its Pennsylvania supplier, while simultaneously exploring alternatives to transition to a new source and supplier to serve the company's West Coast distribution," the company announced in a press release.

The transition couldn't come soon enough, with California recently announcing the urgent need to reduce its statewide water consumption by 25 percent, with some communities responsible for a 36 percent reduction.

"We are committed to our mission to be a globally responsible company and to supporting the people of the state of California as they face this unprecedented drought," said John Kelly, Starbucks senior vice president of Global Responsibility and Public Policy. "The decision to move our Ethos water sourcing from California and reducing our in-store water reductions by more than 25 percent are steps we are taking in partnership with state and local governments to accelerate water conservation."