The issue of water has been a big problem throughout the history of Los Angeles, not just because of the shortage of water, but the issue of who would find the water to quench the needs of the city. In 2013, there was a billing scandal involving Los Angeles in which numerous customers were sent wildly inaccurate bills regarding water and power. Nestle® and other big water bottle companies had been taking advantage of government oversight to get water from mountain streams and watersheds. This is just one example of the many times the water and power companies in California have abused their control to gain more money. For many families this was damaging, especially low-income households who could barely afford dinner or even drinkable water.
In Los Angeles and Sacramento, protesters oppose bottling centers.