Crystal Geyser Water Company will close the Sparkling Water Plant located in Calistoga on January 31st, and lay off its remaining 28 employees at that plant. The firm had been scaling back production over the past six months. A shortage of water in times of drought was not the issue. A letter dated November 30th from HR Vice President Janice Almond said the decision to cease operations at that plant was not easy, stating that it was longer financially feasible for the company to participate in a highly competitive, low-priced market for sparkling water products.