Scientists to work with Coca-Cola after meeting with Minister Simone McGurk over free water access

Scientists will probe Coca-Cola’s groundwater extraction, after revelations the international beverage giant was taking truckloads of water for its Mount Franklin bottles from the Perth Hills for free prompted outrage.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners is allowed to take 10 trucks carrying 28,000 litres of water from a bore on Irymple Road in Roleystone.

And because the bore is on unproclaimed land, no licence is required and no fees apply.

The arrangement — struck in the 1990s — last week prompted outrage, especially from nearby orchardists.

While a Coke spokesperson said the company took less than it was allowed to, the City of Armadale does not monitor the extraction.

Water Minister Simone McGurk met with Coke on Monday after declaring the arrangement did not “pass the pub test”.

The minister said “the meeting was positive” and had struck an initial agreement with Coke to ensure more transparency.

“As a first step, arrangements will be made so Coca-Cola can work with scientists at the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, so we are able to better understand their operations,” Ms McGurk said.

“In particular, I want to address community concerns around whether there is any impact on water users nearby.

“There is also a mutual commitment to boosting Coca-Cola’s transparency in relation to this matter.”

Ms McGurk said there was strong sentiment in the community on the issue and the Government was “taking it very seriously.”

The Coke spokesperson previously told The West the company replenished water used in its bottles.

“In addition to adhering to all relevant regulatory requirements for the extraction, transportation and processing of water, all sites that we extract water from are monitored regularly, through independent hydrological assessments and rigorous site management plans,” they said.