"The Coca-Cola Company and USAID to Expand Water Partnership in Africa." Water and Waste Digest. 23 Mar. 2007. The Coca Cola Company. 16 Apr. 2008 <http://www.wwdmag.com/The-Coca-Cola-Company-and-USAID-to-Expand-Water-Partnership-in-Africa-NewsPiece13258>. 

     USAID and Coca-Cola Company joined in a partner ship to donate $7 million to help the water crisis in Africa.  They work to improve water supply as well as sanitation.  Through this partnership they show how the government, businesses, and NGO can come together to fight for a cause.

McConnel, Kathryn. "Watershed Conservation Supported by Coke, World Wildlife Fund." America.Gov Telling America's Story. 05 July 2007. U.S. Department of State. 16 Apr. 2008 http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2007/July/20070705084014AKllennoCcM0.5173761.html.

     Coke and the World Wildlife Fund are working together to conserve the world’s most critical river systems.  Coke CEO Neville Isdell says Coke vows to “replace every drop of water we use in our beverages and their production to achieve balance in communities and in nature.  In 2006, Cola Cola used about 750 billion gallons of water as an ingredient in its beverages and manufacturing, cleaning, heating, and cooling.  Coke and USAID jointly invested $7 million in March of 2007 to water projects in Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.  

     Coke isn’t the only company giving back in the water crisis.  Pepsi and Starbucks are also working together in water and water sanitation projects.  They plan to give $1 million to benefit people in rural and urban areas in India.

"Coca-Cola/USAID Water and Development Alliance (WADA)." Partnerships for Sustainable Development. 19 Dec. 2007. Coca Cola and USAID. 17 Apr. 2008 <http://webapps01.un.org/dsd/partnerships/public/partnerships/2251.html>.

     The USAID and the Coca Cola Company have joined to create a Water and Development Alliance.  They currently have $14.3 million available for this cause for the years 2005-2010.  This money comes from the government, private sector, and foundations/charities.  They have implemented water projects in nearly 20 countries, mainly in Africa.  This water initiative has made the company incorporate water conservation into their company by encouraging different parts of the company to donate money.

Geller, Martinne. "Coca-Cola Undertaking Africa Water Project-CEO." AlertNet. 09 Nov. 2006. Reuters Foundation. 12 Apr. 2008 <http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N07423019.htm>. 

     Coca Cola is a name known world-wide.  If you want anything to be hyped in the press you just have to include Coca Cola.  Once, in India Coke products were banned because they were accused of depleting groundwater and producing products with harmful contaminants.  This adversity brought on outreach.

     After this incident, the Coca Cola company has worked harder to prevent water depletion.  CEO Neville Isdell says “We’re focusing on water because it’s the main ingredient in every product we make… the success of our business depends on the availability of local water resources.  Coca Cola is working along with USAID to install pumps and extend municipal water taps into communities in Mali. 

"USAID and Coca-Cola Announce Global Watershed Partnership Agreement." USAID From the American People. 14 Sept. 2005. USAID. 03 Apr. 2008 <http://www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2005/pr050915.html>.

     Coca Cola is changing the way they think about water.  They want to take an initiative to help the communities they work in and protecting water resources and enabling more access to water and sanitation.  Coca Cola is collaborating with USAID along with their bottling partners, supply chain partners, and other stakeholders to help the their 1,000 operating sites worldwide.

"WADA Water and Development Alliance." The Coca Cola Company. Nov. 2005. The Coca Cola Company. 18 Apr. 2008 <http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/community_initiatives/Partnership_Overview_031808.pdf>.

     The Coca Cola Company has joined with the United States Agency for International Development in a unique pubic-private partnership to boost water involvement around the world.  Their alliance called the “Water and Development Alliance” (WADA) creates synergies when they have projects that align with USAID strategic development priorities and TCCC’s corporate citizenship objectives.  50% of the funding comes from USAID and 50% from different parts of TCCC including Coca-Cola Africa Foundation(34%), Coca Cola Foundation(11%), Coca Cola Corporate(3%), and Coca Cola Bottling Partners(2%).

“Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, UNICEF and Partners Join Hands for Improving Water Quality Management in Egypt." Maktoob Business. 06 Aug. 2007. 18 Apr. 2008 http://business.maktoob.com/News-20070423120887-Coca_Cola_Africa_Foundation_UNICEF_and_partners_join_hands_for_improving_water_quality_management_in_Egypt.aspx.

       Water in Egypt is contaminated with contaminated by the dumping of domestic, agricultural, and industrial wastes in waterways.  Jointly TCCC, USAID, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) and UNICEF are providing $590,000 to improve water quality in Egypt.  This is only one of many projects taken on by the Coke and USAID alliance.

Gunther, Marc. "African, Vegan, Ceo." Marc Gunther. 30 Mar. 2008. 18 Apr. 2008 <http://www.marcgunther.com/?p=348>.

      Neville Isdell, CEO of the Coca Cola Company grew up in Africa.  He was very attached to Africa and even considered himself a real African.  Through his attachment, he has channeled a lot of work to helping them fight their water crisis.  He stated that Coke will be “water neutral” meaning that every drop of water they use they will give back to the community.  He describes vividly the seasonal rain and how delightful it is when it finally comes because the land is so dry.

"Drinking It in: the Evolution of a Global." Business of Social Responsibility. Mar. 2008. 18 Apr. 2008 <http://www.bsr.org/reports/Coke_Water_Study_March_2008.pdf>.

      This tells a lot about Coca Cola’s water usage in general.  It also describes how Coke will help to give back or cut down on that water usage.  The idea of water neutrality for instance is first taken on in a corporate setting by Coca Cola.  They put forth the following three criteria for legitimate use of the term:

1. Defining, measuring and reporting one’s “water footprint”
2. Taking all action that is “reasonably possible” to reduce the existing operational water footprint
3. Reconciling the residual water footprint (amount remaining after a company does as much as possible to reduce footprint) by making a “reasonable investment” in establishing or supporting projects that focus on the sustainable and equitable use of water.

"Promoting Sustainable Change in Africa." GivingNet Articles. 21 Feb. 2008. 13 Apr. 2008 <http://feeds.cfamerica.org/newsarticle.cfm?articleID=10013516&pageid=3695&SiteID=84&PTSIDEBAROPTID=0>.

      What does it take to make a change in Africa?  It’s not just money that helps, but you have to get the local community involved so that they embrace the program.  The Coca Cola Company has 60,000 employees on the continent and estimates that another 10 indirect jobs are created for each direct one.  So the people of Africa are willing to embrace what Coke is doing for them because a lot of them are some what involved.

"News: Indians Want "More Water, Less Coca Cola!"" Road to the Horizon. 04 Jan. 2008. 16 Apr. 2008 <http://theroadtothehorizon.blogspot.com/2008/04/news-indians-want-more-water-less-coca.html>.

      1500 villagers marched to a bottling plant in Mehdiganj demanding its shutdown since they believe the Coke company to be the reason for severe water shortages and polluting the waters and land.  At a two-day conference on Right to Water, a representative admitted lack of a current hazardous waste authorization required to operate.  Ground Water Board confirmed water level drops of up to 26 feet from 1996-2006.  80% of the Mehdignaj community is agricultural and rely on water.  Coke is seen as a socially irresponsible corporation.

Jones, Kim. "Jars of Clay Helping to Provide Clean Water in Africa with "Good Monsters"" About.Com. 15 Apr. 2008 <http://christianmusic.about.com/od/musicnews/a/jarsh20gdmnster.htm>.

      Jars of Clay is using their new album sales to raise at least $300,000 for clean water projects in Africa.  The Global Water Challenge, supported by the Coke Co., will provide a matching donation of up to $100,000 to the band’s Blood:Water Mission--$1 will be donated for each of the first 100,000 copies of Good Monsters sold as part of the effort.  GWC was launched by Coca-Cola in partnership with other corps, foundations, and aid orgs in order to build healthy communities and save lives by bringing safe water and sanitation to millions.  The partnership with Blood:Water is specifically formed to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic through clean blood and water, to build clean wells in Africa, support medical facilities, fight poverty, injustice and oppression. 

Macdonald, Chris. "Coke, CSR, and Water." The Business Ethics Blog. 13 Nov. 2006. 18 Apr. 2008 <http://www.businessethics.ca/blog/2006/11/coke-csr-and-water.html>. 

     Commenting on “Coca-Cola Undertaking Africa Water Project, CEO says” article:

1. on the surface, relatively progressive approach to Corporate Social Responsibility

(CSR) – involves a company working in a field it knows well and on projects that

are contributing to the long-term needs of communities

2. Coke is open about the fact that it is a “win-win” CSR: not philanthropy, but the

establishment of water supplies is both good for communities AND Coke’s bottling plant needs.

Cynical Part: by bringing water to African communities, it is expanding its market.  Not only that, but it’s expanding the market for what’s known as a generally unhealthy product.  It would be accepting clean water at the expense of kids having easier access to unhealthy food choices.

“Coca-Cola undertaking Africa water project-CEO” Reuters.  Martinne Geller          November 9, 2006  April 13, 2008   <http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N07423019.htm>

     This article announces Coca-Cola’s partnership with USAid in an effort to bring clean drinking water to parts of Africa.  Coke has launched water access, safety and storage programs in schools in Nyanza province and Nairobi in Kenya.  Coke was also working to repair existing water delivery systems in Africa. 

Reuters is a reliable news reporting source and this article is more of an announcement.

Coca-Cola Corporate Responsibility in Africa.  The Coca-Cola Corporation. April 10, 2008    <http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/africa.html> 

     This page on Coca-cola’s website discusses its various initiatives throughout Africa.  In South Africa, Coca-Cola has formed an alliance with USAid to created Watergy, which increases awareness of water-supply efficiency and sanitation.  In Kenya, Coke 120,000 trees to prevent soil erosion.  In Uganda, Coke supported a water and electrification project, installing solar panels to provide energy.  Coke also partnered with UNICEF in Egypt in an effort to provide Egyptians in rural areas with clean drinking water. 

This Website is on Coke’s website and may be somewhat biased towards Coke.  However, the initiatives are real and based on fact.