Behind every can of Pepsi and every healthy community is a clean water source. Pepsi Bottling Ventures (PBV) drove that point home in 2017 by donating $10,000 to the Conservation Trust for North Carolina (CTNC) for the fifth consecutive year. In 2018, PBV increased the donation to $15,000. The grants benefited the Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative (the Initiative) as well as the North Carolina Youth Conservation Corps (NCYCC).

“Improving access to clean drinking water is an objective which makes sense, both from a business perspective, but also as citizens of this area,” said Paul Finney, PBV President and CEO.

The Initiative encompasses different land conservation organizations that work with local governments including the City of Raleigh to conserve land along Upper Neuse River Basin streams. Falls Lake, one of the reservoirs into which the basin drains, is Raleigh’s main drinking source as well as the water supply for PBV’s bottling plant in the Garner area.

Land conservation is a leading method for protecting drinking water sources while limiting runoff pollution.

Finney said, “The Conservation Trust for North Carolina serves a key leadership role in this effort and we are pleased to continue our support as they strive to find new preservation techniques while also educating the next generation on the importance of water quality.”

As another part of this effort, the NCYCC offers paid summer jobs for young people that teach them life skills through high-priority conservation projects like trail construction and maintenance, and habitat restoration. Falls Lake has been included on that project list.

“As our region experiences unprecedented growth,” said Caitlin Burke, CTNC Associate Director, “it's partnerships with companies like PBV that make it possible for us to preserve more land around streams and waterways to ensure clean drinking water, healthy communities, and our great quality of life.”

Inspired to support Pepsi’s commitment to conservation work in the Carolinas? Learn about ways to get involved with the CTNC here, and with the NCYCC here.