28/04/2025
WASH Clarifies Allegations Linking Diamond Water To Recirculation
-As Management Threatens Legal Action Against Perpetrators
The National Water, and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) Commission has issued a formal statement clarifying recent allegations linking the National Beverage Incorporated, the producer of Diamond Water, to the recirculation of water in its production process.
The commission's response, however, comes amid recent allegations from some individuals believed to be journalists, thus prompting the company to threaten legal action against the journalists involved.
Recently, a few individuals reposted a video on Facebook that suggested that National Beverage was engaging in unethical practices by recirculating water used in the production of its popular Diamond Water brand.
The allegations from the journalists, which include Edwin Chea, Tennyson Torplue, Ansu Moigua, Thomas Tower, Joseph Tumbey, and Emmanuel Wise Jerbro, have since raised significant public concern regarding the safety and quality of bottled water, which is widely consumed across Liberia.
However, in a press release issued by WASH, the Commission clarified, "When the Company began operations, it informed the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute that it faced some technical issues with its equipment calibration, thereby rendering some products unwholesome for public consumption."
The commission explained, "At that time of this incident referred to by the video in circulation in 2023, the Ministry of Commerce conducted an investigation that later cleared the Company’s products after the conduct of tests with the then National Standard Laboratory now known as the National Standard Authority, while the Ministry of Health, through the Montserrado County Health Team, took charge of the disposal process of the unwholesome products and later certificated the company after disposal."
"Following these corrective measures, the company complied with all necessary standards and properly documented and remains on record. However, during the disposal process, unknown individuals believed to be journalists, entered the company’s facility to videotape the disposal and not repackage the water as the video and the journalist seem to portray in the video.
This video that has resurfaced online was originally produced in 2023 and has been verified through software analysis conducted during the course of our investigation, as further findings show that the video was edited before its most recent circulation with no reference that it was an old video of 2023," the statement noted.
According to WASH, the journalist involved in the latest reposting admitted that the video was handed to him by a media colleague whose name he did not disclose, and he was unaware that it had already been circulated multiple times before he reposted it.
The commission maintained, "While we appreciate the role of the media and the public in raising public awareness on water, sanitation, health and safety matters, it is important that information shared with the public is accurate and presented in the right context."
"The Commission works with the private sector and especially water, sanitation and hygiene service providers to ensure that services are provided to the public with the highest quality and efficiency. Misrepresentation of facts can cause unnecessary panic and confusion.
We wish to note that the Company has continued to provide current water quality test results that are analyzed by the National Public Health Institute of Liberia as evidenced by the results dated April 10, 2025, thereby rendering the water safe for public consumption," it asserted.
The release added, "As the principal governmental entity on Water Sanitation and Hygiene, the WASH Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining public health and water safety."
"We continue to work closely with all drinking water producing companies to ensure that water quality standards are upheld across the Country in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia," the release noted.
Meanwhile, the management of National Beverage Incorporated has expressed outrage, labelling the reports as "irresponsible" and "defamatory," thereby announcing that they are considering legal action against the journalists and media outlets that propagated the claims.
"We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety in our products. These baseless allegations not only threaten our business but also undermine consumer trust in the bottled water industry," the management noted.
The management furthered, "We wish to make it abundantly clear that these claims are entirely baseless, malicious, and part of a coordinated propaganda effort aimed at defaming our company and eroding the public trust we have cultivated over many years."
According to management, given the facts and outcomes of the government’s official investigation of their company, it is both unfortunate and disgraceful that certain media outlets are deliberately reviving old, discredited content to mislead the public.
Management maintained, "These actions not only violate the ethics of journalism but also attempt to exploit public trust for personal or political gain; as such, the National Beverage, Inc. hereby issues a stern warning to those spreading this outdated video and false claims."
"Cease and desist immediately or face legal consequences because we will pursue all legal avenues available to protect our brand and our customers from disinformation and lies to tarnish our business.
We, therefore reaffirm our unwavering commitment to producing and delivering high-quality, safe, and refreshing drinking water for all Liberians. We remain focused, undistracted, and dedicated to upholding the highest standards in our operations," management added.
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