“As a local resident, I can appreciate the good intentions that give rise to decisions such as Bundanoon's ban on bottled water,” Aris Berzins wrote in a letter to the editor on Thursday.

“However, there are always more sides to a story, particularly when considering the many issues behind the initial headlines.

“We are a small family-owned business that engages three employees from the local area.

“We only bottle 15 litre (not 600ml disposable PET) spring water that is derived from a free flowing spring in Burrawang, which has been providing drinking water to local customers for some 25 years.

“We deliver, collect and then re-use all bottles by cleaning, sterilising and refilling.

“We provide a personalised local service to Highlands residents as does another local, privately owned, spring water company.

“We certainly have no grist with the Bundanoon community groups involved, and yet it appears that our businesses are at the front line, wearing community anger for disposable bottles that we don't even produce.

“All we ask is that due consideration be given to water industry participants that are not multinational companies but small businesses providing local service and employment.”

Australasian Bottled Water Institute (ABWI) chief executive officer Geoff Parker said ABWI members were largely local businesses who employ thousands of workers in the bottling and distribution of water.

Mr Parker said the Premier Nathan Rees’ decision to ban bottled water from government departments would have a domino effect which could be devastating to bottlers, suppliers, and small business retailers.