Potential water restrictions at Arrowhead Springs Hotel raise concerns over wildfire danger
A dispute between the U.S. Forest Service and the bottler of Arrowhead Water could deprive the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians of millions of gallons of water, compromising the tribe’s ability to fight wildfires around its iconic Arrowhead Springs Hotel. Blue Triton Brands, which bottles and manufactures Arrowhead 100% Mountain Spring Water, was denied a special-use permit by the federal agency on July 26. The Forest Service ordered the company to stop drawing water from Strawberry Canyon, near the architecturally renowned hotel, and to remove its equipment and infrastructure. The San Manuel Indians receive a substantial amount of water from Blue Triton’s gravity-fed pipeline. A San Manuel spokesperson said the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, Cal Fire and the Forest Service all share the tribe’s water supply with the San Manuel Fire Department, and assist each other in battling wildland fires in the foothills and front country areas.