Oct 9, 2008 4:48 pm US/Mountain
Starbucks In Hot Water For Leaving Faucets Running
Written by Paul Day
Reporting
Paul Day
DENVER (CBS4) ―
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Starbucks undercover video.
CBS
It's not the temperature of their coffee, but Starbucks finds itself in hot water following a CBS4 News investigation.
Starbucks confirmed its standard procedure for its partner stores to leave tap water running all day long. The practice is carried out at all 10,000 Starbucks shops worldwide.
"It's a tremendous waste of water when you think of their outlets both here in the United States and globally," said Paul Schwartz, National Policy Coordinator for Clean Water Action.
The issue focuses on what's called the dipper well, a small sink behind the counter where water is kept running to clean utensils.
Starbucks explained the constant stream of fresh water is necessary to protect customers by preventing bacterial growth. But after CBS undercover cameras showed how commonplace the practice is at Starbucks coffee shops all around the country, the company issued the following statement: "Starbucks fully recognizes that the dipper well system and the subsequent amount of water that is used by the system is an issue that needs immediate attention."
But a different coffee shop, Aviano in Denver, does the same thing.
"It's probably pretty wasteful," admitted Saadia Naiman, Manager of Aviano.
She willingly allowed CBS4 to videotape the water flowing at the dipper well in her shop at 9th and Lincoln.
Peter Meersman, President of the Colorado Restaurant Association said water conservation is supposed to be practiced by all its members.
"One of the things we teach at our seminars is to not continuously run water for any reason," Meersman said.
Saadia said paying an employee to stand at a sink all day turning water on and off doesn't make good sense. Still, she conceded the water waste is regrettable.
"It affects our water and electric bill," she said.
Starbucks declined CBS4's request for a TV interview in Denver. But in statement emailed to the station, Starbucks said its coffee shops are "encouraged to keep the dipper well flow to a minimum during operating hours."
Stores are "instructed to turn it off when it's not in service."
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