Thursday, October 1, 2009

Catawba Riverkeeper and Aquarius Spring! partner for community clean-up on October 3

Aquarius Spring! to award Catawba Riverkeeper with grant to recognize,
support and inspire local watershed conservation efforts
Community clean-up of Lake Wylie and Lake Norman planned for October 3

Aquarius Spring!™ natural spring water is on a mission this summer to
promote watershed conservation and encourage people to take action in
their local communities. The brand is providing large grants to
community organizations to facilitate consumer education and clean-up
events at watersheds in 10 markets. Next stop: Charlotte and a
partnership with the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation (CRF), a non-
profit organization which advocates for and secures protection and
enhancement of the Catawba River, its lakes, tributaries and watershed.

On October 3, Aquarius Spring! will join forces with CRF volunteers
and staff to host the eighth annual Lake Wylie Riversweep and take
part in the NC Bigsweep on Lake Norman. Volunteers will remove
invasive plants, trash and recyclable items from the river, shores and
surrounding areas by land and by boat. The clean-ups will take place
from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., followed by a celebratory luncheon for
volunteers. Lunch, prizes and live entertainment will be provided as
well as membership incentives by local businesses.

In addition to the clean-up event, Aquarius Spring! will recognize CRF
with a large grant to support its clean water initiatives.
"The Aquarius Spring! summer mobile tour is motivating local
residents to take an active role in watershed conservation and
recycling efforts in their communities," said Regina Stone, Community
Coordinator, Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation. "Beyond the clean-up
events, the partnership grant will help provide opportunities
throughout the year for community involvement in the Catawba River
basin."

The centerpiece of the 20-week Aquarius Spring! summer tour is a
specially designed vegetable-oil powered bus that will invite local
residents to participate in the watershed clean-up events taking place
in each market.
"Aquarius Spring! was founded with a mission to hydrate, donate and
participate," said Brandon Leck, director of water brands, Coca-Cola
North America. "In addition to our 10-market tour and donations to
local watersheds, every Aquarius package and point of sale will direct
consumers towww.EnjoyAquarius.com where they can learn more about
water conservation efforts in their communities. Together we can make
a lasting contribution to local watersheds through this call to
action."

Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit operating in
the fourteen counties of the Catawba River watershed, flowing through
North and South Carolina. CRF trains and leads five locally based
Covekeeper Programs on Lake Hickory, Lake Norman, Mountain Island
Lake, LakeWylie and Lake Wateree. Volunteers are trained through the
Covewatcher, Streamwatcher, Waterwatcher and Muddy Water Watch
programs. CRF is licensed by the Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc. For more
information on upcoming events or becoming a volunteer or member,
visitwww.catawbariverkeeper.org.

Aquarius Spring!, a natural spring water bottled fresh from four
abundant, well-protected springs across the U.S., is produced by Coca-
Cola
Coca-Cola places a high priority on water stewardship and has set a
goal to return to communities and nature an amount of water equivalent
to what is used in its beverages and their production. Efforts include
continually working to improve water use efficiency in operations,
recycling water used for manufacturing processes, and replenishing
water in communities and ecosystems through locally relevant projects
such as the Aquarius tour. For more about the Company's programs and
partners, visit: http://www.thecocacolacompany.com/citizenship.

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company,
refreshing consumers with nearly 500 sparkling and still brands. Along
with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the
Company's portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands,
including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater,
POWERADE, Minute Maid and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1
provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-
drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage
distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the
Company's beverages at a rate of nearly 1.6 billion servings a day.
With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our
Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment,
conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the
communities where we operate. For more information about our Company,
please visit our Web site at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.