Dive summary:

• Government officials in Concord, Mass. have started what they hope will be a growing trend in the U.S., banning single-serving plastic water bottles.
• The ban only affects plain water bottles, plastic bottles for soda, juice or any other beverage are still allowed.
• The reprimand for businesses not willing to fully follow the new rules is fairly low, first a warning, then a $25 fine, then a $50 fine for every instance following.

From the article:

According to the EPA, in 2010, the U.S. generated 31 million tons of plastic waste.

The Town of Concord's website describes the bylaw, stating "It shall be unlawful to sell non-sparkling, unflavored drinking water in single-serving polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles of 1 liter (34 ounces) or less in the Town of Concord on or after January 1, 2013." There is an exemption for an "emergency adversely affecting the availability and/or quality of drinking water to Concord residents." ...