Document:

The  Alkaline Water Company Inc. -  Exhibit 10.1 - Filed by newsfilecorp.com

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

THIS AGREEMENT is dated effective as of the 1st day of March,
2016. 

BETWEEN: 

  
    
      
        THE ALKALINE WATER COMPANY INC., a corporation
          incorporated pursuant to the laws of the State of Nevada and having an office
          for business located at 7730 East Greenway Road, Suite 203, Scottsdale, Arizona
          85260 

        (the “Company”) 

      

    

  

AND: 

  
    
      
        STEVEN P. NICKOLAS, an individual resident of the State
          of Arizona with an address of c/o 7730 East Greenway Road, Suite 203,
          Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 

        (the “Executive”) 

      

    

  

RECITALS: 

	A. 	
      The Company is in the beverage industry and distributes
      alkaline water; and

	 	 
	B. 	
      The Company and the Executive have agreed to enter into
      an employment relationship for their mutual
benefit.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises
of the parties hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by
each of the parties hereto, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:

	1. 	
      DEFINITIONS

	 	 	 
	1.1 	
      Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement,
      the following terms shall have the following meanings:

	 	 	 
		(a) 	
      “Agreement” means this Agreement and all schedules
      and amendments hereto.

	 	 	 
		(b) 	
      “Award” has the meaning set out in the
  Plan.

	 	 	 
		(c) 	
      “Award Agreement” has the meaning set out in the
      Plan.

	 	 	 
		(d) 	
      “Board” means the Board of Directors of the
      Company.

	 	 	 
		(e) 	
      “Change of Control Event” means the occurrence of
      any one of the events set out in Sections 1.1.(e)(i) to 1.1(e)(v)
      below:

	 	(i) 	
      the acquisition, after the date of this Agreement and
      excluding any acquisitions from the Company, by any one individual, entity
      or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the
      Securities and Exchange Act of 1934), of beneficial ownership of
      40% or more of either the then outstanding shares of common stock of the
      Company or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
      securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of
      directors;

	 	 	 
	 	(ii) 	
      the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a
      reorganization, merger, amalgamation, combination or consolidation of the
      Company in which the individuals and entities who were the respective
      beneficial owners of the common stock and voting securities of the Company
      immediately prior to such reorganization,
merger, amalgamation, combination or consolidation do not,
      following such reorganization, merger, amalgamation, combination or
      consolidation, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of,
      respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined
      voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
      generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the Company
      resulting from such reorganization, merger, amalgamation, combination or
  consolidation;

- 2 - 

	 	(iii) 	
      the exercise of the voting power of all or any securities
      of the Company so as to cause or result in the election of a majority of
      members of the Board who were not previously incumbent directors
      thereof;

	 	 	 
	 	(iv) 	
      a tender offer, an exchange offer, a take-over bid or any
      other offer or bid by an entity, person or group (other than the Company
      or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) of more than 40% of the
      issued and outstanding voting securities of the Company; or

	 	 	 
	 	(v) 	
      a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the sale
      or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
      Company.

	 		
      In the case of the occurrence of any of the events set
      forth in this Section 1.1(e), a Change of Control Event shall be deemed to
      occur immediately prior to the occurrence of any such events. An event
      shall not constitute a Change of Control Event if its sole purpose is to
      change the jurisdiction of the Company’s organization or the name of the
      Company or to create a holding company, partnership or trust that will be
      owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the
      Company’s securities immediately before such event. Additionally, a Change
      of Control Event shall not be deemed to have occurred, with respect to the
      Executive, if the Executive is part of a purchasing group that consummates
      the Change of Control Event.

	 	 	 
	 	(f) 	
      “Common Shares” means the shares of common stock,
      par value $0.001, of the Company.

	 	 	 
	 	(g) 	
      “Confidential Information” means information,
      whether or not originated by the Executive, that relates to the business
      or affairs of the Company, its affiliates, clients or suppliers and is
      confidential or proprietary to, about or created by the Company, its
      affiliates, clients, or suppliers. Confidential Information includes, but
      is not limited to, the following types of confidential information and
      other proprietary information of a similar nature (whether or not reduced
      to writing or designated or marked as
confidential):

	 	(i) 	
      the Company’s properties and production methods, as well
      as information relating to strategies, research, communications, business
      plans, and financial data of the Company and any information of the
      Company which is not readily publicly available;

	 	 	 
	 	(ii) 	
      work product resulting from or related to work or
      projects performed for or to be performed for the Company or its
      affiliates, including but not limited to, the methods, processes,
      procedures, analysis, techniques and audits used in connection
      therewith;

	 	 	 
	 	(iii) 	
      any intellectual property contributed to the Company, and
      any other technical and business information of the Company, its
      subsidiaries and affiliates which is of a confidential, trade secret
      and/or proprietary character;

	 	 	 
	 	(iv) 	
      internal Company personnel and financial information,
      supplier names and other supplier information, purchasing and internal
      cost information, internal services and operational manuals, and the
      manner and method of conducting the Company’s business;

	 	 	 
	 	(v) 	
      marketing and development plans, price and cost data,
      price and fee amounts, pricing and billing policies, quoting procedures,
      marketing techniques and methods of obtaining business, forecasts and
      forecast assumptions and volumes, current and prospective client lists,
      and future plans and potential strategies of the Company that have been or
      are being discussed; and

- 3 - 

	 	(vi) 	
      all information that becomes known to the Executive as a
      result of this Agreement or the services performed hereunder that the
      Executive, acting reasonably, believes is confidential information or that
      the Company takes measures to protect;

provided that Confidential Information
does not include any of the following: 

	 	(vii) 	
      the general skills and experience gained by the Executive
      during the Executive’s employment with the Company that the Executive
      could reasonably have been expected to acquire in similar retainers or
      engagements with other companies;

	 	 	 
	 	(viii) 	
      information publicly known without breach of this
      Agreement or similar agreements;

	 	 	 
	 	(ix) 	
      information, the disclosure of which by the Executive is
      required to be made by any law, regulation or governmental authority or
      legal process of discovery (to the extent of the requirement), provided
      that before disclosure is made, notice of the requirement is provided to
      the Company, and to the extent reasonably possible in the circumstances,
      the Company is afforded an opportunity to dispute the requirement;
    or

	 	 	 
	 	(x) 	
      information known to the Executive at the date of this
      Agreement.

	 	(h) 	
      “Date of Termination” means the date of
      termination of this Agreement.

	 	 	 	 
	 	(i) 	
      “Developments” means all discoveries, inventions,
      designs, works of authorship, improvements and ideas (whether or not
      patentable or copyrightable) and legally recognized proprietary rights
      (including, but not limited to, patents, copyrights, trademarks, know-how
      and trade secrets), and all records and copies of records relating to the
      foregoing, that:

	 	 	 	 
	 		(i) 	
      result or derive from the Executive’s employment or from
      the Executive’s knowledge or use of Confidential Information;

	 	 	 	 
	 		(ii) 	
      are conceived or made by the Executive (individually or
      in collaboration with others) during the term of the Executive’s
      employment by the Company;

	 	 	 	 
	 		(iii) 	
      result from or derive from the use or application of the
      resources of the Company or its affiliates; or

	 	 	 	 
	 		(iv) 	
      relate to the business operations of the Company or to
      actual or demonstrably anticipated research and development by the Company
      or its affiliates.

	 	(j) 	
      “Directors” means the Directors of the Company,
      and “Director” means any one of them.

	 	 	 	 
	 	(k) 	
      “Effective Date” means the date of this Agreement
      as shown on the first page hereof.

	 	 	 	 
	 	(l) 	
      “Just Cause” includes, but is not limited
    to:

	 	 	 	 
	 		(i) 	
      the Executive’s failure to properly discharge his lawful
      duties after receiving a written notice from the Board which advises of
      the details of such failure and which provides the Executive 30 days to
      cure such failure;

	 	 	 	 
	 		(ii) 	
      the Executive’s conviction for any crime respecting the
      property of the Company or which calls into question the Executive’s
      personal honesty;

	 	 	 	 
	 		(iii) 	
      any breach by the Executive of the fiduciary duties
      normally owed by a President or Chief Executive Officer of a corporation,
      including the duty to avoid conflicts of interest, and to act honestly and
      in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company after
      receiving a written notice from the Board which advises of the details of
      such breach and which provides the Executive with 30 days to cure such
      breach; or

- 4 - 

	 	(iv) 	
      any material breach of this Agreement by the Executive
      after receiving a written notice from the Board which advises of the
      details of such breach and which provides the Executive 30 days to cure
      such breach.

	 	(m) 	
      “Pay Period” means the recurring length of time
      over which employee time is recorded and paid by the Company.

	 	 	 
	 	(n) 	
      "Plan" means the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan
      adopted by the Board, and any successor equity incentive plan that may be
      adopted by the Board from time-to-time after the Effective Date.

	 	 	 
	 	(o) 	
      “Salary” has the meaning set out in Section
      3.1.

2.         
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 

2.1      
 Employment. The Company and the Executive agree that, as of the
Effective Date, the Company shall employ the Executive on the terms and
conditions set out in this Agreement. The Executive shall perform such duties as
are regularly and customarily performed by the President and Chief Executive
Officer of a corporation, and any other duties consistent with the Executive’s
position in the Company. The Executive agrees that, in addition to role of
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Executive shall: 

	 	(a) 	
      perform other related positions or duties of senior
      capacity as the Board may from time to time reasonably require;
  and

	 	 	 
	 	(b) 	
      the Executive shall always act in accordance with any
      reasonable decision of and obey and carry out all lawful and reasonable
      orders given to him by the Board.

	2.2 	
      Reporting. The Executive shall:

	 	 	 
		(a) 	
      report to the Board and take direction from the Board by
      resolution;

	 	 	 
		(b) 	
      attend all meetings of the Board;

	 	 	 
		(c) 	
      at meetings of the Board, have the authority to propose
      any resolution for consideration by the Board; and

	 	 	 
		(d) 	
      ensure that all contracts and similar arrangements of the
      Company shall be approved and signed in accordance with the signing
      authorities authorized by the Board from time to
time.

2.3        
 Term. This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date, and,
unless renewed under Section 2.4 or otherwise terminated under Section 6, shall
terminate on the third anniversary of the Effective Date.

2.4        
 Renewal. On the third anniversary of the Effective Date and on each
annual anniversary date thereafter, the term of this Agreement shall
automatically be extended by one additional year unless either party gives
ninety (90) days’ written notice to the other of its intention not to renew this
Agreement. 

2.5        
 Location. The Executive’s employment shall be based in the
Company’s offices in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Executive understands that he may
be required to travel regularly in order to fulfill his duties as President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company. 

2.6        
 Full Time and Efforts. Unless prevented by ill health, or physical
or mental disability or impairment, the Executive shall, during the term hereof,
devote sufficient working time, effort, care and attention to his duties set out
in this Agreement and to the business of the Company in order to properly
discharge his duties hereunder. 

2.7        
 Authority. The Executive shall have, subject always to the general
or specific instructions and directions of the Board, full power and authority
to manage and direct the business and affairs of the Company (except only the
matters and duties as by law must be transacted or performed by the Board or by
the stockholders of the Company in general meeting), including power and
authority to enter into contracts, engagements or commitments of every nature or
kind in the name of and on behalf of the Company and to engage and employ and to
dismiss all managers and other employees and agents of the Company other than
the senior management and officers of the Company, provided always that the contracts, engagements and commitments
entered into are in accordance with the budgets presented to and approved by the
Board. 

- 5 - 

2.8        
 Fiduciary Role. The Executive acknowledges that, as the President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, he occupies a position of fiduciary
trust and confidence and, as a fiduciary, he shall develop and acquire wide
experience and knowledge with respect to all aspects in which the business of
the Company is conducted. The Executive agrees to serve the Company in a manner
which is consistent with the fiduciary duties owed to the Company.

3.         
COMPENSATION 

	3.1 	
      Salary.

	 	 	 
		(a) 	
      During the Initial Term and any Renewal Terms in effect
      in which compensation has not been amended, the Company shall pay the
      Executive the sum of $15,000.00 per month (the “Salary”) or such
      other amount as may be determined by the Board from time to
time.

	 	 	 
		(b) 	
      All compensation payable to the Executive pursuant to
      this Section 3 or otherwise under this Agreement, shall be payable in
      accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, as applicable, and
      shall be subject to all statutory deductions that the Company is required
      to make and remit.

	 	 	 
		(c) 	
      The Executive shall be responsible to pay for all
      federal, state and local taxes assessed on any income received from the
      Executive under this Agreement, which are over and above the amounts that
      were deducted and remitted on the Executive’s behalf by the
  Company.

	3.2 	
      Issuance and Conversion of Series C Preferred
      Stock.

	 	 	 
		(a) 	
      Within ten days of the Effective Date, the Executive
      shall be issued 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s Series C Preferred
      Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Series C Preferred Stock”),
      pursuant to the Certificate of Designation for Series C Preferred
      Stock.

	 	 	 
		(b) 	
      The Executive agrees that the Series C Preferred Stock
      may not be sold, pledged or otherwise transferred by the Executive, other
      than with the written consent of the Board.

	 	 	 
		(c) 	
      The Company and the Executive agree that each of the
      following events constitute a “Negotiated Trigger Event” as defined in the
      Certificate of Designation for the Series C Preferred
  Stock:

	 	(i) 	
      the occurrence of a Change of Control Event;

	 	 	 
	 	(ii) 	
      the death of the Executive; and

	 	 	 
	 	(iii) 	
      the termination of this Agreement for any
  reason.

	3.3 	
      Awards.

	 	 	 
		(a) 	
      At the sole and absolute discretion of the Board and
      subject to compliance with the Plan, all applicable laws, regulations and
      rules of any governmental authority, quotation system or stock exchange,
      the Company may grant Awards to the Executive from time-to-time during the
      term of this Agreement but nothing in this Agreement shall obligate the
      Company to do so.

	 	 	 
		(b) 	
      Any Awards granted to the Executive during the term of
      this Agreement shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, as the same may
      be amended from time to time, and the Award Agreement. In the event of any
      inconsistency among this Agreement, the Award Agreement and the Plan, the
      terms of the Plan and the Award Agreement will control, in descending
      order (for clarity, in the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and
      the Award Agreement, the terms of the Plan will
control).

	3.4 	
      Bonuses.

- 6 - 

	 	(a) 	
      The Company may pay to the Executive an annual
      discretionary performance bonus in an amount to be determined by the Board
      in its sole discretion based on the Executive’s achievement of the
      Company’s annual short-term and long-term performance goals and
      objectives.

	 	 	 
	 	(b) 	
      The Executive will be eligible to participate in other
      bonus programs offered by the Company to the Company’s senior staff from
      time to time, which are based on performance targets as established by the
      Board in its sole discretion.

4.         
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND EXPENSES 

4.1        Employee
Benefits. The Executive shall, to the extent eligible, be entitled to
participate in all of the Company’s employee benefit plans including without
limitation any medical/hospital and extended health care benefits (collectively,
the “Employee Benefits”) provided by the Company to its senior officers
in accordance with the terms thereof as such may be in effect from time to time.
Should the Company not provide such plans at any time, the Company shall
reimburse the Executive for the reasonable cost of any such plans obtained
privately. 

4.2        Benefits
on Cessation of Employment. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, upon
cessation of employment with the Company for any reason, regardless of whether
the cessation is voluntary or involuntary or constitutes termination with or
without cause or adequate notice: 

	 	(a) 	
      the Employee Benefits and any reimbursement in lieu of
      such Employee Benefits in accordance with Section 4.1 will continue for a
      period of six months after which time the Executive shall cease to
      participate in the Employee Benefits and shall not be entitled to any
      further benefits thereunder; and

	 	 	 
	 	(b) 	
      after such six month period, the Executive shall be
      solely responsible for obtaining personal benefit plans to replace any or
      all Employee Benefits, including, without limitation, medical/hospital and
      extended health care benefits.

4.3       
Automobile. The Company shall provide the Executive with vehicle leased
in the Company’s name, with lease payments not exceeding $700/month or such
other amount as may be determined by the Board from time to time. 

4.4        Vacation.
The Executive shall be entitled in each year to five (5) weeks’ paid vacation,
in addition to weekends and statutory holidays, to be taken in installments of
no more than three (3) consecutive weeks of paid time off. Subject to the
foregoing, paid vacation is to be taken at such time or times as the Executive
may select and the Board may reasonably approve having regard to the business
affairs and operations of the Company. 

4.5        Allowance for
Other Benefits. The Company shall pay the Executive an allowance of $5,000
per month or such other amount as may be determined by the Board from time to
time, which may be used by the Executive as he sees fit, including without
limitation, the funding of non-qualified retirement plans. 

4.6        Expenses.
The Company shall reimburse the Executive for any expenses that the Executive
incurs in connection with his duties under this Agreement, provided that the
Executive provides to the Company an itemized written account and receipts
acceptable to the Company within a reasonable time after they have been
incurred. 

5.         
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND DEVELOPMENTS 

	5.1 	
      Confidential Information.

	 	 	 
		(a) 	
      All Confidential Information, whether developed by the
      Executive any time while he was employed by the Company, or by others
      employed or engaged by or associated with the Company or its affiliates or
      clients, is the exclusive and confidential property of the Company or its
      affiliates or clients, as the case may be, and shall at all times be
      regarded, treated and protected as such, as provided in this
    Agreement.

	 	 	 
		(b) 	
      As a consequence of the acquisition of Confidential
      Information or arising from his position as President or Chief Executive
      Officer, the Executive shall occupy a position of trust and confidence
      with respect to the affairs and business of the Company, its affiliates,
      suppliers and clients. In view of the foregoing, it is reasonable and
      necessary for the Executive to make the following
  covenants regarding the Executive’s conduct
during and subsequent to the Executive’s employment by the Company:

- 7 - 

 

	 	(i) 	
      at all times during and subsequent to the Executive’s
      employment with the Company, the Executive shall not disclose Confidential
      Information to any person (other than as necessary in carrying out the
      Executive’s duties on behalf of the Company) without first obtaining the
      Company’s consent, and the Executive shall take all reasonable precautions
      to prevent inadvertent disclosure of any Confidential
  Information;

	 	 	 
	 	(ii) 	
      at all times during and subsequent to the Executive’s
      employment with the Company, the Executive shall not use, copy, transfer
      or destroy any Confidential Information (other than as necessary in
      carrying out the Executive’s duties on behalf of the Company) without
      first obtaining the Company’s consent and the Executive shall take all
      reasonable precautions to prevent inadvertent use, copying, transfer or
      destruction of any Confidential Information. This prohibition includes,
      but is not limited to, licensing or otherwise exploiting, directly or
      indirectly, any products or services that embody or are derived from
      Confidential Information or exercising judgment or performing analysis
      based upon knowledge of Confidential Information; and

	 	 	 
	 	(iii) 	
      within ten (10) business days after the termination of
      the Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive shall promptly
      deliver to the Company all property of or belonging to or administered by
      the Company including without limitation all Confidential Information that
      is embodied in any form, whether in hard copy or on electronic media, and
      that is within the Executive’s possession or under the Executive’s
      control.

	5.2 	
      Intellectual Property.

	 	 	 
		(a) 	
      All Developments shall be the exclusive property of the
      Company and the Company shall have sole discretion to deal with the
      Developments. The Executive agrees that no intellectual property rights in
      the Developments are or shall be retained by him. For greater certainty,
      all work done during the term of employment by the Executive for the
      Company or its affiliates is the sole property of the Company or its
      affiliates, as the case may be, as the first author for copyright purposes
      and in respect of which all copyright shall vest in the Company or the
      relevant affiliate, as the case may be. In consideration of the benefits
      to be received by the Executive under the terms of this Agreement, the
      Executive hereby irrevocably sells, assigns and transfers and agrees in
      the future to sell, assign and transfer all right, title and interest in
      and to the Developments and intellectual property rights therein
      including, without limitation, all patents, copyright, industrial design,
      circuit topography and trademarks, and any goodwill associated therewith
      in United States and worldwide to the Company and the Executive shall hold
      all the benefits of the rights, title and interest mentioned above in
      trust for the Company prior to the assignment to the Company.

	 	 	 
		(b) 	
      The Executive shall do all further things that may be
      reasonably necessary or desirable in order to give full effect to the
      foregoing. If the Executive’s cooperation is required in order for the
      Company to obtain or enforce legal protection of the Developments
      following the termination of the Executive’s employment, the Executive
      shall provide that cooperation so long as the Company pays to the
      Executive reasonable compensation for the Executive’s time at a rate to be
      agreed between the Executive and the Company.

5.3       
Non-Competition. The Executive hereby covenants and agrees to and with
the Company that he shall not either directly or indirectly as principal, agent,
owner, partner, shareholder, director, officer or otherwise, own, operate, be
engaged in the operation of or have any financial interest in any business
operation whether a proprietorship, partnership, joint venture or private
company, or otherwise carry on or be engaged in the beverage industry within
North America for a period of one year following the voluntary termination of
the employment relationship with the Company if the new venture would be in
conflict or direct competition of or with the Company.

5.4        Consent to
Enforcement. The Executive confirms that all restrictions in Sections 5.1,
5.2, and 5.3 are reasonable and valid and any defences to the strict enforcement
thereof by the Company are waived by the Executive. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Executive hereby consents to an injunction
being granted by a court of competent jurisdiction in the event that the
Executive is in breach of any of the provisions stipulated in Sections 5.1, 5.2
and 5.3. The Executive hereby expressly acknowledges and agrees that injunctive
relief is an appropriate and fair remedy in the event of a breach of any of the
said provisions. 

- 8 - 

5.5        Effect of
Bankruptcy and other Events. In the event of bankruptcy of the Company,
dissolution of business or the inability or failure of the Company to satisfy
the terms of compensation or benefits contained in Sections 3 and 4, the
non-competition provisions set out in Section 5.3 shall no longer apply.

5.6        Obligations
Remain. Except where Section 5.5 applies, the Executive’s obligations under
each of Sections 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 are to remain in effect in accordance with
each of their terms and shall exist and continue in full force and effect
despite any breach or repudiation, or alleged breach or repudiation, of this
Agreement or the Executive’s wrongful dismissal by the Company.

6.         
TERMINATION 

6.1        Termination
for Just Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for
Just Cause at any time by delivering to the Executive written notice of
termination. In the event that the Executive’s employment with the Company is
terminated by the Company for Just Cause, the Executive shall not be entitled to
any additional payments or benefits hereunder (except as otherwise provided
herein), other than for amounts due and owing to the Executive by the Company as
at the Date of Termination, except for any Awards which shall be dealt with in
accordance with the Plan and the Award Agreement. 

6.2        Death or
Disability. Subject to applicable employment laws or similar legislation,
the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment in the event the Executive
has been unable to perform his duties for a period of eight (8) consecutive
months or a cumulative period of twelve (12) months in any consecutive
twenty-four (24) month period, because of a physical or mental disability. The
Executive’s employment shall automatically terminate on the Executive’s death.
In the event the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates by reason of
the Executive’s death or disability, then upon and immediately effective on the
Date of Termination the Company shall promptly pay and provide the Executive (or
in the event of the Executive’s death, the Executive’s estate); 

	 	(a) 	
      any unpaid Salary and any outstanding and accrued regular
      and special vacation pay through the Date of Termination;

	 	 	 
	 	(b) 	
      reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses incurred
      through to the Date of Termination; and

	 	 	 
	 	(c) 	
      any outstanding amounts due under any Awards which shall
      be dealt with in accordance with the Plan and the Award
  Agreement.

6.3        Severance
for Disability. In the event the Executive’s employment is terminated due to
a disability pursuant to Section 6.2, the Company shall pay to the Executive the
severance referred to in Section 6.4. 

6.4        Termination by
the Executive on Change of Control Event & Termination by the Company Other
than for Just Cause. 

	 	(a) 	
      If, within 90 days of the occurrence of a Change of
      Control Event, the Executive resigns from his employment relationship with
      the Company or the Company terminates this Agreement for any reason other
      than for Just Cause, then the Company shall pay the Executive severance in
      an amount equal to the following: 36 months’ Salary plus an amount, if
      any, equal to the following: one (1) month’s salary multiplied by the
      number of calendar years, starting on the Effective Date, that the
      Executive is employed by the Company under this Agreement.

	 	 	 
	 	(b) 	
      The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment at
      any time for other than Just Cause by delivering to the Executive written
      notice of termination. If the Executive’s employment with the Company is
      terminated pursuant to this Section 6.4(b), then the Company shall pay the
      Executive severance in an amount equal to the following: 36 months’ Salary
      plus an amount, if any, equal to the following: one (1) month’s salary
      multiplied by the number of calendar years, starting on the Effective
      Date, that the Executive is employed by the Company under this
      Agreement.

	 	 	 
	 	(c) 	
      The severance amount calculated pursuant to Sections
      6.4(a) or 6.4(b) shall be subject to statutory deductions and shall be
      payable in one (1) lump sum within then (10) days of such resignation or
      termination.

6.5        Fair and
Reasonable Provisions. The Company and Executive acknowledge and agree that
the provisions of Section 6.4 regarding further payments of the Salary
constitute fair and reasonable provisions for the consequences of such resignation or termination, and such
payments and benefits shall not be limited or reduced by amounts the Executive
might earn or be able to earn from any other employment or ventures during the
remainder of the agreed term of this Agreement. 

- 9 - 

6.6        Resignation
of Offices. On termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Executive
shall immediately resign all offices held (including directorships if requested)
in the Company and, save as provided by this Agreement, the Executive shall not
be entitled to receive any severance payment or compensation for loss of office
or otherwise by reason of the resignation. If the Executive, as applicable,
fails to resign as required by this Section 6.6, the Company is irrevocably
authorized to appoint some person in his name and on his behalf to execute any
documents or do anything necessary or requisite to give effect to such
resignation. 

7.        
 GENERAL 

7.1       
Indemnification by the Company. Provided that the Executive has acted
within the scope of his authority, the Company shall indemnify and save harmless
the Executive (including his heirs and legal representatives) against any and
all costs, claims and expenses (including any amounts paid to settle any actions
or satisfy any judgments) which: 

	 	(a) 	
      the Executive may suffer or incur by reason of any matter
      or thing which the Executive may in good faith do or have done or caused
      to be done as an employee, officer or director of the Company, any of its
      subsidiaries or of any of their respective affiliates; or

	 	 	 
	 	(b) 	
      was reasonably incurred by the Executive in respect of
      any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he is
      made a party by reason of being or having been an employee, officer or
      director of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or of any of their
      respective affiliates;

provided that, the foregoing indemnification will apply only
if: 

	 	(c) 	
      the Executive acted honestly and in good faith with a
      view to the best interests of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any
      of their respective affiliates; and

	 	 	 
	 	(d) 	
      in the case of a criminal or administrative action or
      proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the Executive had
      reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was
  lawful.

7.2       
Indemnification by the Executive. The Executive shall indemnify and save
harmless the Company against, and agree to hold it harmless from, any and all
damages, injuries, claims, demands, actions, liability, costs and expenses
(including reasonable legal fees) incurred or made against the Company arising
from or connected with the performance or non-performance of this Agreement by
the Executive or the beach of any warranty, representation or covenant herein by
the Executive, other than claims by the Executive pursuant to this Agreement.
This Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement. 

7.3        Insurance.
If and to the extent the Company maintains directors’ and officers’ liability
insurance for the protection of its executives in connection with acts and
omissions occurring during their employment with the Company, the Executive
shall be included as an officer and director who is covered by such policy on a
basis no less favourable than made available to other executives of the Company.

7.4        Authorization.
The Company represents and warrants that it is fully authorized and empowered to
enter into this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder, and that
performance of this Agreement shall not violate any agreement between the
Company and any other person, firm or organization nor breach any provisions of
its constating documents or governing legislation. 

7.5        Obligations
Continue. The Executive’s obligations under Section 5 are to remain in full
force and effect notwithstanding termination of this Agreement for any reason.

7.6        Amendment or
Waiver. No provision in this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment
is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and an authorized officer of
the Company. No waiver by either party hereto of any breach by the other party
hereto of any condition or provision contained in this Agreement to be performed
by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or dissimilar
condition or provision at the same or any prior or subsequent time. Any waiver
must be in writing and signed by the Executive or an authorized officer of the
Company, as the case may be. 

- 10 - 

7.7        Compliance
with Policies and Laws. The Executive agrees to abide by all the Company’s
policies and procedures. The Executive also agrees to abide by all laws
applicable to the Company, in each jurisdiction that it does business. 

7.8        Governing Law
and Venue. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Arizona
and the federal laws of the United States of America as applicable therein. The
Executive irrevocably attorns to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of
Arizona. 

7.9        Notices.
Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement will be in
writing and may be given by delivering, sending by electronic facsimile
transmission or other means of electronic communication capable of producing a
printed copy, or sending by prepaid registered mail posted in the United States,
the notice to the following address or number: 

	 	(a) 	
      in the case of the Company:

	 	 	 
	 		
      to 7730 East Greenway Road, Suite 203, Scottsdale,
      Arizona 85260, facsimile: 480.272.7275, email: ricky@wtfcpa.com

	 	 	 
	 	(b) 	
      in the case of the Executive:

	 	 	 
	 		
      to the last address or facsimile of the Executive in the
      records of the Company and its subsidiaries or to such other address as
      the parties may from time to time specify by notice given in accordance
      herewith.

(or to such other address or number as any party may specify by
notice in writing to another party). 

Any notice delivered or sent by electronic facsimile
transmission or other means of electronic communication capable of producing a
printed copy on a business day will be deemed conclusively to have been
effectively given on the day the notice was delivered, or the transmission was
sent successfully to the number set out above, as the case may be. 

Any notice sent by prepaid registered mail will be deemed
conclusively to have been effectively given on the third business day after
posting; but if at the time of posting or between the time of posting and the
third business day thereafter there is a strike, lockout, or other labour
disturbance affecting postal service, then the notice will not be effectively
given until actually delivered. 

7.10      Severability. If any
provision contained herein is determined to be void or unenforceable for any
reason, in whole or in part, it shall not be deemed to affect or impair the
validity of any other provision contained herein and the remaining provisions
shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permissible by law.

7.11      Entire Agreement.
This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement between the
parties concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
agreements, understandings, discussions, negotiations and undertakings, whether
written or oral, between the parties with respect thereto. 

7.12      Currency. Unless
otherwise specified herein all references to dollar or dollars are references to
U.S. dollars. 

7.13      Further Assurances.
Each of the Executive and the Company shall do, execute and deliver, or shall
cause to be done, executed and delivered, all such further acts, documents and
things as the Executive or the Company may require for the purposes of giving
effect to this Agreement. 

7.14      Successors and Assigns.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding on, the parties
and their respective heirs, administrators, executors, successors and permitted
assigns. The Company shall have the right to assign this Agreement to any of its
affiliates or to any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase,
amalgamation, arrangement, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company; the Executive
shall not be entitled to any payment or other consideration or to any advance
notice of any such assignment. The Executive by the Executive’s signature hereto
expressly consents to such assignment and, provided that such successor agrees
to assume and be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement, all
references to the “Company” hereunder shall include its successor. The Executive
shall not assign or transfer, whether absolutely, by way of security or
otherwise, all or any part of the Executive’s rights or obligations under this
Agreement without the prior consent of the Company, which may be arbitrarily
withheld. 

- 11 - 

7.15      Continuing Cooperation.
The Executive agrees that he shall, both during the term of this Agreement
and thereafter, fully co-operate with and assist the Company in the resolution
of complaints, claims or disputes against the Company, including without
limitation civil, criminal or regulatory proceedings. 

7.16      Legal Advice. The
Executive acknowledges and agrees that he has had the opportunity to seek
independent legal advice in relation to the nature, contents, terms and effect
of this Agreement and he fully understands the nature of this Agreement and that
he is entering into this Agreement voluntarily. 

7.17      Counterparts/Electronic
Execution. This Agreement may be executed in several parts in the same form
and such parts as so executed shall together constitute one original document,
and such parts, if more than one, shall be read together and construed as if all
the signing parties had executed one copy of the said Agreement. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Agreement as
of the date first above written. 

THE ALKALINE WATER COMPANY INC. 

	Per: 	/s/
      Richard A. Wright 	 
	  	Authorized Signatory 	 

	EXECUTED by STEVEN P. NICKOLAS in the 	 )	 
	presence of: 	 )	 
	  	 )	 
	  	 )	 
	Signature 	 )	 
	  	 )	 /s/ Steven P. Nickolas 
	Print Name 	 )	 STEVEN P. NICKOLAS 
	  	 )	 
	Address 	 )	 
	  	 )	 
	  	 )	 
	  	 )	 
	Occupation 	 )The  Alkaline Water Company Inc. -  Exhibit 10.2 - Filed by newsfilecorp.com

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

THIS AGREEMENT is dated effective as of the 1st day of March,
2016. 

BETWEEN: 

  
    
      
        THE ALKALINE WATER COMPANY INC., a corporation
          incorporated pursuant to the laws of the State of Nevada and having an office
          for business located at 7730 East Greenway Road, Suite 203, Scottsdale, Arizona
          85260 

        (the “Company”) 

      

    

  

AND: 

  
    
      
        RICHARD A. WRIGHT, an individual resident of the State
          of Arizona with an address of c/o 7730 East Greenway Road, Suite 203,
          Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 

        (the “Executive”) 

      

    

  

RECITALS: 

	A. 	
      The Company is in the beverage industry and distributes
      alkaline water; and

	 	 
	B. 	
      The Company and the Executive have agreed to enter into
      an employment relationship for their mutual
benefit.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises
of the parties hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by
each of the parties hereto, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:

1.        
 DEFINITIONS 

	1.1 	
      Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement,
      the following terms shall have the following meanings:

	 	 	 
		(a) 	
      “Agreement” means this Agreement and all schedules
      and amendments hereto.

	 	 	 
		(b) 	
      “Award” has the meaning set out in the
  Plan.

	 	 	 
		(c) 	
      “Award Agreement” has the meaning set out in the
      Plan.

	 	 	 
		(d) 	
      “Board” means the Board of Directors of the
      Company.

	 	 	 
		(e) 	
      “Change of Control Event” means the occurrence of
      any one of the events set out in Sections 1.1.(e)(i) to 1.1(e)(v)
      below:

	 	(i) 	
      the acquisition, after the date of this Agreement and
      excluding any acquisitions from the Company, by any one individual, entity
      or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the
      Securities and Exchange Act of 1934), of beneficial ownership of
      40% or more of either the then outstanding shares of common stock of the
      Company or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
      securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of
      directors;

	 	 	 
	 	(ii) 	
      the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a
      reorganization, merger, amalgamation, combination or consolidation of the
      Company in which the individuals and entities who were the respective
      beneficial owners of the common stock and voting securities of the Company
      immediately prior to such reorganization,
merger, amalgamation, combination or consolidation do not,
      following such reorganization, merger, amalgamation, combination or
      consolidation, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of,
      respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined
      voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
      generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the Company
      resulting from such reorganization, merger, amalgamation, combination or
  consolidation;

- 2 - 

	 	(iii) 	
      the exercise of the voting power of all or any securities
      of the Company so as to cause or result in the election of a majority of
      members of the Board who were not previously incumbent directors
      thereof;

	 	 	 
	 	(iv) 	
      a tender offer, an exchange offer, a take-over bid or any
      other offer or bid by an entity, person or group (other than the Company
      or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) of more than 40% of the
      issued and outstanding voting securities of the Company; or

	 	 	 
	 	(v) 	
      a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the sale
      or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
      Company.

	 		
      In the case of the occurrence of any of the events set
      forth in this Section 1.1(e), a Change of Control Event shall be deemed to
      occur immediately prior to the occurrence of any such events. An event
      shall not constitute a Change of Control Event if its sole purpose is to
      change the jurisdiction of the Company’s organization or the name of the
      Company or to create a holding company, partnership or trust that will be
      owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the
      Company’s securities immediately before such event. Additionally, a Change
      of Control Event shall not be deemed to have occurred, with respect to the
      Executive, if the Executive is part of a purchasing group that consummates
      the Change of Control Event.

	 	 	 
	 	(f) 	
      “Common Shares” means the shares of common stock,
      par value $0.001, of the Company.

	 	 	 
	 	(g) 	
      “Confidential Information” means information,
      whether or not originated by the Executive, that relates to the business
      or affairs of the Company, its affiliates, clients or suppliers and is
      confidential or proprietary to, about or created by the Company, its
      affiliates, clients, or suppliers. Confidential Information includes, but
      is not limited to, the following types of confidential information and
      other proprietary information of a similar nature (whether or not reduced
      to writing or designated or marked as
confidential):

	 	(i) 	
      the Company’s properties and production methods, as well
      as information relating to strategies, research, communications, business
      plans, and financial data of the Company and any information of the
      Company which is not readily publicly available;

	 	 	 
	 	(ii) 	
      work product resulting from or related to work or
      projects performed for or to be performed for the Company or its
      affiliates, including but not limited to, the methods, processes,
      procedures, analysis, techniques and audits used in connection
      therewith;

	 	 	 
	 	(iii) 	
      any intellectual property contributed to the Company, and
      any other technical and business information of the Company, its
      subsidiaries and affiliates which is of a confidential, trade secret
      and/or proprietary character;

	 	 	 
	 	(iv) 	
      internal Company personnel and financial information,
      supplier names and other supplier information, purchasing and internal
      cost information, internal services and operational manuals, and the
      manner and method of conducting the Company’s business;

	 	 	 
	 	(v) 	
      marketing and development plans, price and cost data,
      price and fee amounts, pricing and billing policies, quoting procedures,
      marketing techniques and methods of obtaining business, forecasts and
      forecast assumptions and volumes, current and prospective client lists,
      and future plans and potential strategies of the Company that have been or
      are being discussed; and

- 3 - 

	 	(vi) 	
      all information that becomes known to the Executive as a
      result of this Agreement or the services performed hereunder that the
      Executive, acting reasonably, believes is confidential information or that
      the Company takes measures to protect;

provided that Confidential Information
does not include any of the following: 

	 	(vii) 	
      the general skills and experience gained by the Executive
      during the Executive’s employment with the Company that the Executive
      could reasonably have been expected to acquire in similar retainers or
      engagements with other companies;

	 	 	 
	 	(viii) 	
      information publicly known without breach of this
      Agreement or similar agreements;

	 	 	 
	 	(ix) 	
      information, the disclosure of which by the Executive is
      required to be made by any law, regulation or governmental authority or
      legal process of discovery (to the extent of the requirement), provided
      that before disclosure is made, notice of the requirement is provided to
      the Company, and to the extent reasonably possible in the circumstances,
      the Company is afforded an opportunity to dispute the requirement;
    or

	 	 	 
	 	(x) 	
      information known to the Executive at the date of this
      Agreement.

	 	(h) 	
      “Date of Termination” means the date of
      termination of this Agreement.

	 	 	 	 
	 	(i) 	
      “Developments” means all discoveries, inventions,
      designs, works of authorship, improvements and ideas (whether or not
      patentable or copyrightable) and legally recognized proprietary rights
      (including, but not limited to, patents, copyrights, trademarks, know-how
      and trade secrets), and all records and copies of records relating to the
      foregoing, that:

	 	 	 	 
	 		(i) 	
      result or derive from the Executive’s employment or from
      the Executive’s knowledge or use of Confidential Information;

	 	 	 	 
	 		(ii) 	
      are conceived or made by the Executive (individually or
      in collaboration with others) during the term of the Executive’s
      employment by the Company;

	 	 	 	 
	 		(iii) 	
      result from or derive from the use or application of the
      resources of the Company or its affiliates; or

	 	 	 	 
	 		(iv) 	
      relate to the business operations of the Company or to
      actual or demonstrably anticipated research and development by the Company
      or its affiliates.

	 	(j) 	
      “Directors” means the Directors of the Company,
      and “Director” means any one of them.

	 	 	 	 
	 	(k) 	
      “Effective Date” means the date of this Agreement
      as shown on the first page hereof.

	 	 	 	 
	 	(l) 	
      “Just Cause” includes, but is not limited
    to:

	 	 	 	 
	 		(i) 	
      the Executive’s failure to properly discharge his lawful
      duties after receiving a written notice from the Board which advises of
      the details of such failure and which provides the Executive 30 days to
      cure such failure;

	 	 	 	 
	 		(ii) 	
      the Executive’s conviction for any crime respecting the
      property of the Company or which calls into question the Executive’s
      personal honesty;

	 	 	 	 
	 		(iii) 	
      any breach by the Executive of the fiduciary duties
      normally owed by a Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of a
      corporation, including the duty to avoid conflicts of interest, and to act
      honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the
      Company after receiving a written notice from the Board which advises of
      the details of such breach and which provides the Executive with 30 days
      to cure such breach; or

- 4 - 

	 	(iv) 	
      any material breach of this Agreement by the Executive
      after receiving a written notice from the Board which advises of the
      details of such breach and which provides the Executive 30 days to cure
      such breach.

	 	(m) 	
      “Pay Period” means the recurring length of time
      over which employee time is recorded and paid by the Company.

	 	 	 
	 	(n) 	
      "Plan" means the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan
      adopted by the Board, and any successor equity incentive plan that may be
      adopted by the Board from time-to-time after the Effective Date.

	 	 	 
	 	(o) 	
      “Salary” has the meaning set out in Section
      3.1.

2.         
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 

2.1       
Employment. The Company and the Executive agree that, as of the Effective
Date, the Company shall employ the Executive on the terms and conditions set out
in this Agreement. The Executive shall perform such duties as are regularly and
customarily performed by the Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of a
corporation, and any other duties consistent with the Executive’s position in
the Company. The Executive agrees that, in addition to role of Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer of the Company, the Executive shall: 

	 	(a) 	
      perform other related positions or duties of senior
      capacity as the Board may from time to time reasonably require;
  and

	 	 	 
	 	(b) 	
      the Executive shall always act in accordance with any
      reasonable decision of and obey and carry out all lawful and reasonable
      orders given to him by the Board.

	2.2 	
      Reporting. The Executive shall:

	 	 	 
		(a) 	
      report to the Board and take direction from the Board by
      resolution and in the absence of, or pending a resolution of the Board on
      any matter, take direction from the Chief Executive Officer;

	 	 	 
		(b) 	
      attend all meetings of the Board;

	 	 	 
		(c) 	
      at meetings of the Board, have the authority to propose
      any resolution for consideration by the Board; and

	 	 	 
		(d) 	
      ensure that all contracts and similar arrangements of the
      Company shall be approved and signed in accordance with the signing
      authorities authorized by the Board from time to
time.

2.3        Term.
This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date, and, unless renewed under
Section 2.4 or otherwise terminated under Section 6, shall terminate on the
third anniversary of the Effective Date.

2.4       
Renewal. On the third anniversary of the Effective Date and on each
annual anniversary date thereafter, the term of this Agreement shall
automatically be extended by one additional year unless either party gives
ninety (90) days’ written notice to the other of its intention not to renew this
Agreement. 

2.5       
Location. The Executive’s employment shall be based in the Company’s
offices in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Executive understands that he may be
required to travel regularly in order to fulfill his duties as Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer of the Company. 

2.6       
Full Time and Efforts. Unless prevented by ill health, or physical or
mental disability or impairment, the Executive shall, during the term hereof,
devote sufficient working time, effort, care and attention to his duties set out
in this Agreement and to the business of the Company in order to properly
discharge his duties hereunder. 

2.7       
Authority. The Executive shall have, subject always to the general or
specific instructions and directions of the Board, full power and authority to
manage and direct the business and affairs of the Company (except only the
matters and duties as by law must be transacted or performed by the Board or by
the stockholders of the Company in general meeting), including power and
authority to enter into contracts, engagements or commitments of every nature or
kind in the name of and on behalf of the Company and to engage and employ and to
dismiss all managers and other employees and agents of the Company other than the senior
management and officers of the Company, provided always that the contracts,
engagements and commitments entered into are in accordance with the budgets
presented to and approved by the Board. 

- 5 - 

2.8        Fiduciary
Role. The Executive acknowledges that, as the Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer of the Company, he occupies a position of fiduciary trust and
confidence and, as a fiduciary, he shall develop and acquire wide experience and
knowledge with respect to all aspects in which the business of the Company is
conducted. The Executive agrees to serve the Company in a manner which is
consistent with the fiduciary duties owed to the Company.

3.         
COMPENSATION 

	3.1 	
      Salary.

	 	 	 
		(a) 	
      During the Initial Term and any Renewal Terms in effect
      in which compensation has not been amended, the Company shall pay the
      Executive the sum of $14,000.00 per month (the “Salary”) or such
      other amount as may be determined by the Board from time to
time.

	 	 	 
		(b) 	
      All compensation payable to the Executive pursuant to
      this Section 3 or otherwise under this Agreement, shall be payable in
      accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, as applicable, and
      shall be subject to all statutory deductions that the Company is required
      to make and remit.

	 	 	 
		(c) 	
      The Executive shall be responsible to pay for all
      federal, state and local taxes assessed on any income received from the
      Executive under this Agreement, which are over and above the amounts that
      were deducted and remitted on the Executive’s behalf by the
  Company.

	3.2 	
      Issuance and Conversion of Series C Preferred
      Stock.

	 	 	 
		(a) 	
      Within ten days of the Effective Date, the Executive
      shall be issued 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s Series C Preferred
      Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Series C Preferred Stock”),
      pursuant to the Certificate of Designation for Series C Preferred
      Stock.

	 	 	 
		(b) 	
      The Executive agrees that the Series C Preferred Stock
      may not be sold, pledged or otherwise transferred by the Executive, other
      than with the written consent of the Board.

	 	 	 
		(c) 	
      The Company and the Executive agree that each of the
      following events constitute a “Negotiated Trigger Event” as defined in the
      Certificate of Designation for the Series C Preferred
  Stock:

	 	(i) 	
      the occurrence of a Change of Control Event;

	 	 	 
	 	(ii) 	
      the death of the Executive; and

	 	 	 
	 	(iii) 	
      the termination of this Agreement for any
  reason.

	3.3 	
      Awards.

	 	 	 
		(a) 	
      At the sole and absolute discretion of the Board and
      subject to compliance with the Plan, all applicable laws, regulations and
      rules of any governmental authority, quotation system or stock exchange,
      the Company may grant Awards to the Executive from time-to-time during the
      term of this Agreement but nothing in this Agreement shall obligate the
      Company to do so.

	 	 	 
		(b) 	
      Any Awards granted to the Executive during the term of
      this Agreement shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, as the same may
      be amended from time to time, and the Award Agreement. In the event of any
      inconsistency among this Agreement, the Award Agreement and the Plan, the
      terms of the Plan and the Award Agreement will control, in descending
      order (for clarity, in the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and
      the Award Agreement, the terms of the Plan will
control).

- 6 - 

	3.4 	
      Bonuses.

	 	 	 
		(a) 	
      The Company may pay to the Executive an annual
      discretionary performance bonus in an amount to be determined by the Board
      in its sole discretion based on the Executive’s achievement of the
      Company’s annual short-term and long-term performance goals and
      objectives.

	 	 	 
		(b) 	
      The Executive will be eligible to participate in other
      bonus programs offered by the Company to the Company’s senior staff from
      time to time, which are based on performance targets as established by the
      Board in its sole discretion.

4.         
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND EXPENSES 

4.1       
Employee Benefits. The Executive shall, to the extent eligible, be
entitled to participate in all of the Company’s employee benefit plans including
without limitation any medical/hospital and extended health care benefits
(collectively, the “Employee Benefits”) provided by the Company to its
senior officers in accordance with the terms thereof as such may be in effect
from time to time. Should the Company not provide such plans at any time, the
Company shall reimburse the Executive for the reasonable cost of any such plans
obtained privately. 

4.2       
Benefits on Cessation of Employment. Unless otherwise agreed by the
parties, upon cessation of employment with the Company for any reason,
regardless of whether the cessation is voluntary or involuntary or constitutes
termination with or without cause or adequate notice: 

	 	(a) 	
      the Employee Benefits and any reimbursement in lieu of
      such Employee Benefits in accordance with Section 4.1 will continue for a
      period of six months after which time the Executive shall cease to
      participate in the Employee Benefits and shall not be entitled to any
      further benefits thereunder; and

	 	 	 
	 	(b) 	
      after such six month period, the Executive shall be
      solely responsible for obtaining personal benefit plans to replace any or
      all Employee Benefits, including, without limitation, medical/hospital and
      extended health care benefits.

4.3        Automobile.
The Company shall provide the Executive with vehicle leased in the Company’s
name, with lease payments not exceeding $700/month or such other amount as may
be determined by the Board from time to time. 

4.4        Vacation.
The Executive shall be entitled in each year to five (5) weeks’ paid vacation,
in addition to weekends and statutory holidays, to be taken in installments of
no more than three (3) consecutive weeks of paid time off. Subject to the
foregoing, paid vacation is to be taken at such time or times as the Executive
may select and the Board may reasonably approve having regard to the business
affairs and operations of the Company. 

4.5        Allowance
for Other Benefits. The Company shall pay the Executive an allowance of
$5,000 per month or such other amount as may be determined by the Board from
time to time, which may be used by the Executive as he sees fit, including
without limitation, the funding of non-qualified retirement plans. 

4.6       
Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for any expenses that
the Executive incurs in connection with his duties under this Agreement,
provided that the Executive provides to the Company an itemized written account
and receipts acceptable to the Company within a reasonable time after they have
been incurred. 

5.         
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND DEVELOPMENTS 

	5.1 	
      Confidential Information.

	 	 	 
		(a) 	
      All Confidential Information, whether developed by the
      Executive any time while he was employed by the Company, or by others
      employed or engaged by or associated with the Company or its affiliates or
      clients, is the exclusive and confidential property of the Company or its
      affiliates or clients, as the case may be, and shall at all times be
      regarded, treated and protected as such, as provided in this
    Agreement.

	 	 	 
		(b) 	
      As a consequence of the acquisition of Confidential
      Information or arising from his position as Vice President, Secretary and
      Treasurer, the Executive shall occupy a position of trust and
      confidence with respect to the affairs and
business of the Company, its affiliates, suppliers and clients. In view of the
foregoing, it is reasonable and necessary for the Executive to make the
following covenants regarding the Executive’s conduct during and subsequent to
the Executive’s employment by the Company: 

- 7 - 

	 	(i) 	
      at all times during and subsequent to the Executive’s
      employment with the Company, the Executive shall not disclose Confidential
      Information to any person (other than as necessary in carrying out the
      Executive’s duties on behalf of the Company) without first obtaining the
      Company’s consent, and the Executive shall take all reasonable precautions
      to prevent inadvertent disclosure of any Confidential
  Information;

	 	 	 
	 	(ii) 	
      at all times during and subsequent to the Executive’s
      employment with the Company, the Executive shall not use, copy, transfer
      or destroy any Confidential Information (other than as necessary in
      carrying out the Executive’s duties on behalf of the Company) without
      first obtaining the Company’s consent and the Executive shall take all
      reasonable precautions to prevent inadvertent use, copying, transfer or
      destruction of any Confidential Information. This prohibition includes,
      but is not limited to, licensing or otherwise exploiting, directly or
      indirectly, any products or services that embody or are derived from
      Confidential Information or exercising judgment or performing analysis
      based upon knowledge of Confidential Information; and

	 	 	 
	 	(iii) 	
      within ten (10) business days after the termination of
      the Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive shall promptly
      deliver to the Company all property of or belonging to or administered by
      the Company including without limitation all Confidential Information that
      is embodied in any form, whether in hard copy or on electronic media, and
      that is within the Executive’s possession or under the Executive’s
      control.

	5.2 	
      Intellectual Property.

	 	 	 
		(a) 	
      All Developments shall be the exclusive property of the
      Company and the Company shall have sole discretion to deal with the
      Developments. The Executive agrees that no intellectual property rights in
      the Developments are or shall be retained by him. For greater certainty,
      all work done during the term of employment by the Executive for the
      Company or its affiliates is the sole property of the Company or its
      affiliates, as the case may be, as the first author for copyright purposes
      and in respect of which all copyright shall vest in the Company or the
      relevant affiliate, as the case may be. In consideration of the benefits
      to be received by the Executive under the terms of this Agreement, the
      Executive hereby irrevocably sells, assigns and transfers and agrees in
      the future to sell, assign and transfer all right, title and interest in
      and to the Developments and intellectual property rights therein
      including, without limitation, all patents, copyright, industrial design,
      circuit topography and trademarks, and any goodwill associated therewith
      in United States and worldwide to the Company and the Executive shall hold
      all the benefits of the rights, title and interest mentioned above in
      trust for the Company prior to the assignment to the Company.

	 	 	 
		(b) 	
      The Executive shall do all further things that may be
      reasonably necessary or desirable in order to give full effect to the
      foregoing. If the Executive’s cooperation is required in order for the
      Company to obtain or enforce legal protection of the Developments
      following the termination of the Executive’s employment, the Executive
      shall provide that cooperation so long as the Company pays to the
      Executive reasonable compensation for the Executive’s time at a rate to be
      agreed between the Executive and the Company.

5.3        Non-Competition.
The Executive hereby covenants and agrees to and with the Company that he shall
not either directly or indirectly as principal, agent, owner, partner,
shareholder, director, officer or otherwise, own, operate, be engaged in the
operation of or have any financial interest in any business operation whether a
proprietorship, partnership, joint venture or private company, or otherwise
carry on or be engaged in the beverage industry within North America for a
period of one year following the voluntary termination of the employment
relationship with the Company if the new venture would be in conflict or direct
competition of or with the Company.

5.4       
Consent to Enforcement. The Executive confirms that all restrictions in
Sections 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 are reasonable and valid and any defences to the
strict enforcement thereof by the Company are waived by the Executive. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Executive hereby consents to an
injunction being granted by a court of competent jurisdiction in the event that
the Executive is in breach of any of the provisions stipulated in Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3. The Executive hereby
expressly acknowledges and agrees that injunctive relief is an appropriate and
fair remedy in the event of a breach of any of the said provisions. 

- 8 - 

5.5       
Effect of Bankruptcy and other Events. In the event of bankruptcy of the
Company, dissolution of business or the inability or failure of the Company to
satisfy the terms of compensation or benefits contained in Sections 3 and 4, the
non-competition provisions set out in Section 5.3 shall no longer apply.

5.6       
Obligations Remain. Except where Section 5.5 applies, the Executive’s
obligations under each of Sections 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 are to remain in effect in
accordance with each of their terms and shall exist and continue in full force
and effect despite any breach or repudiation, or alleged breach or repudiation,
of this Agreement or the Executive’s wrongful dismissal by the Company.

6.        
 TERMINATION 

6.1        Termination
for Just Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for
Just Cause at any time by delivering to the Executive written notice of
termination. In the event that the Executive’s employment with the Company is
terminated by the Company for Just Cause, the Executive shall not be entitled to
any additional payments or benefits hereunder (except as otherwise provided
herein), other than for amounts due and owing to the Executive by the Company as
at the Date of Termination, except for any Awards which shall be dealt with in
accordance with the Plan and the Award Agreement. 

6.2       
Death or Disability. Subject to applicable employment laws or similar
legislation, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment in the event
the Executive has been unable to perform his duties for a period of eight (8)
consecutive months or a cumulative period of twelve (12) months in any
consecutive twenty-four (24) month period, because of a physical or mental
disability. The Executive’s employment shall automatically terminate on the
Executive’s death. In the event the Executive’s employment with the Company
terminates by reason of the Executive’s death or disability, then upon and
immediately effective on the Date of Termination the Company shall promptly pay
and provide the Executive (or in the event of the Executive’s death, the
Executive’s estate); 

	 	(a) 	
      any unpaid Salary and any outstanding and accrued regular
      and special vacation pay through the Date of Termination;

	 	 	 
	 	(b) 	
      reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses incurred
      through to the Date of Termination; and

	 	 	 
	 	(c) 	
      any outstanding amounts due under any Awards which shall
      be dealt with in accordance with the Plan and the Award
  Agreement.

6.3       
Severance for Disability. In the event the Executive’s employment is
terminated due to a disability pursuant to Section 6.2, the Company shall pay to
the Executive the severance referred to in Section 6.4. 

6.4       
Termination by the Executive on Change of Control Event & Termination by
the Company Other than for Just Cause. 

	 	(a) 	
      If, within 90 days of the occurrence of a Change of
      Control Event, the Executive resigns from his employment relationship with
      the Company or the Company terminates this Agreement for any reason other
      than for Just Cause, then the Company shall pay the Executive severance in
      an amount equal to the following: 36 months’ Salary plus an amount, if
      any, equal to the following: one (1) month’s salary multiplied by the
      number of calendar years, starting on the Effective Date, that the
      Executive is employed by the Company under this Agreement.

	 	 	 
	 	(b) 	
      The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment at
      any time for other than Just Cause by delivering to the Executive written
      notice of termination. If the Executive’s employment with the Company is
      terminated pursuant to this Section 6.4(b), then the Company shall pay the
      Executive severance in an amount equal to the following: 36 months’ Salary
      plus an amount, if any, equal to the following: one (1) month’s salary
      multiplied by the number of calendar years, starting on the Effective
      Date, that the Executive is employed by the Company under this
      Agreement.

	 	 	 
	 	(c) 	
      The severance amount calculated pursuant to Sections
      6.4(a) or 6.4(b) shall be subject to statutory deductions and shall be
      payable in one (1) lump sum within then (10) days of such resignation or
      termination.

- 9 - 

6.5        Fair
and Reasonable Provisions. The Company and Executive acknowledge and agree
that the provisions of Section 6.4 regarding further payments of the Salary
constitute fair and reasonable provisions for the consequences of such
resignation or termination, and such payments and benefits shall not be limited
or reduced by amounts the Executive might earn or be able to earn from any other
employment or ventures during the remainder of the agreed term of this
Agreement. 

6.6       
Resignation of Offices. On termination of this Agreement for any reason,
the Executive shall immediately resign all offices held (including directorships
if requested) in the Company and, save as provided by this Agreement, the
Executive shall not be entitled to receive any severance payment or compensation
for loss of office or otherwise by reason of the resignation. If the Executive,
as applicable, fails to resign as required by this Section 6.6, the Company is
irrevocably authorized to appoint some person in his name and on his behalf to
execute any documents or do anything necessary or requisite to give effect to
such resignation. 

7.         
GENERAL 

7.1        Indemnification
by the Company. Provided that the Executive has acted within the scope of
his authority, the Company shall indemnify and save harmless the Executive
(including his heirs and legal representatives) against any and all costs,
claims and expenses (including any amounts paid to settle any actions or satisfy
any judgments) which: 

	 	(a) 	
      the Executive may suffer or incur by reason of any matter
      or thing which the Executive may in good faith do or have done or caused
      to be done as an employee, officer or director of the Company, any of its
      subsidiaries or of any of their respective affiliates; or

	 	 	 
	 	(b) 	
      was reasonably incurred by the Executive in respect of
      any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he is
      made a party by reason of being or having been an employee, officer or
      director of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or of any of their
      respective affiliates;

provided that, the foregoing indemnification will apply only
if: 

	 	(c) 	
      the Executive acted honestly and in good faith with a
      view to the best interests of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any
      of their respective affiliates; and

	 	 	 
	 	(d) 	
      in the case of a criminal or administrative action or
      proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the Executive had
      reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was
  lawful.

7.2        Indemnification
by the Executive. The Executive shall indemnify and save harmless the
Company against, and agree to hold it harmless from, any and all damages,
injuries, claims, demands, actions, liability, costs and expenses (including
reasonable legal fees) incurred or made against the Company arising from or
connected with the performance or non-performance of this Agreement by the
Executive or the beach of any warranty, representation or covenant herein by the
Executive, other than claims by the Executive pursuant to this Agreement. This
Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement. 

7.3        Insurance.
If and to the extent the Company maintains directors’ and officers’ liability
insurance for the protection of its executives in connection with acts and
omissions occurring during their employment with the Company, the Executive
shall be included as an officer and director who is covered by such policy on a
basis no less favourable than made available to other executives of the Company.

7.4        Authorization.
The Company represents and warrants that it is fully authorized and empowered to
enter into this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder, and that
performance of this Agreement shall not violate any agreement between the
Company and any other person, firm or organization nor breach any provisions of
its constating documents or governing legislation. 

7.5        Obligations
Continue. The Executive’s obligations under Section 5 are to remain in full
force and effect notwithstanding termination of this Agreement for any reason.

7.6        Amendment
or Waiver. No provision in this Agreement may be amended unless such
amendment is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and an authorized
officer of the Company. No waiver by either party hereto of any breach by the
other party hereto of any condition or provision contained in this Agreement to
be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or
dissimilar condition or provision at the same or any prior or subsequent time. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by
the Executive or an authorized officer of the Company, as the case may be. 

- 10 - 

7.7        Compliance
with Policies and Laws. The Executive agrees to abide by all the Company’s
policies and procedures. The Executive also agrees to abide by all laws
applicable to the Company, in each jurisdiction that it does business. 

7.8        Governing
Law and Venue. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of
Arizona and the federal laws of the United States of America as applicable
therein. The Executive irrevocably attorns to the jurisdiction of the courts of
the State of Arizona. 

7.9        Notices.
Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement will be in
writing and may be given by delivering, sending by electronic facsimile
transmission or other means of electronic communication capable of producing a
printed copy, or sending by prepaid registered mail posted in the United States,
the notice to the following address or number: 

	 	(a) 	
      in the case of the Company:

	 	 	 
	 		
      to 7730 East Greenway Road, Suite 203, Scottsdale,
      Arizona 85260, facsimile: 480.272.7275, email: ricky@wtfcpa.com

	 	 	 
	 	(b) 	
      in the case of the Executive:

	 	 	 
	 		
      to the last address or facsimile of the Executive in the
      records of the Company and its subsidiaries or to such other address as
      the parties may from time to time specify by notice given in accordance
      herewith.

(or to such other address or number as any party may specify by
notice in writing to another party). 

Any notice delivered or sent by electronic facsimile
transmission or other means of electronic communication capable of producing a
printed copy on a business day will be deemed conclusively to have been
effectively given on the day the notice was delivered, or the transmission was
sent successfully to the number set out above, as the case may be. 

Any notice sent by prepaid registered mail will be deemed
conclusively to have been effectively given on the third business day after
posting; but if at the time of posting or between the time of posting and the
third business day thereafter there is a strike, lockout, or other labour
disturbance affecting postal service, then the notice will not be effectively
given until actually delivered. 

7.10      Severability. If any
provision contained herein is determined to be void or unenforceable for any
reason, in whole or in part, it shall not be deemed to affect or impair the
validity of any other provision contained herein and the remaining provisions
shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permissible by law.

7.11      Entire Agreement.
This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement between the
parties concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
agreements, understandings, discussions, negotiations and undertakings, whether
written or oral, between the parties with respect thereto. 

7.12      Currency. Unless
otherwise specified herein all references to dollar or dollars are references to
U.S. dollars. 

7.13      Further Assurances.
Each of the Executive and the Company shall do, execute and deliver, or shall
cause to be done, executed and delivered, all such further acts, documents and
things as the Executive or the Company may require for the purposes of giving
effect to this Agreement. 

7.14      Successors and Assigns.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding on, the parties
and their respective heirs, administrators, executors, successors and permitted
assigns. The Company shall have the right to assign this Agreement to any of its
affiliates or to any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase,
amalgamation, arrangement, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company; the Executive
shall not be entitled to any payment or other consideration or to any advance
notice of any such assignment. The Executive by the Executive’s signature hereto
expressly consents to such assignment and, provided that such successor agrees
to assume and be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement, all
references to the “Company” hereunder shall include its successor. The Executive
shall not assign or transfer, whether absolutely, by way of security or otherwise,
all or any part of the Executive’s rights or obligations under this Agreement
without the prior consent of the Company, which may be arbitrarily withheld. 

- 11 - 

7.15      Continuing Cooperation.
The Executive agrees that he shall, both during the term of this Agreement
and thereafter, fully co-operate with and assist the Company in the resolution
of complaints, claims or disputes against the Company, including without
limitation civil, criminal or regulatory proceedings. 

7.16      Legal Advice. The
Executive acknowledges and agrees that he has had the opportunity to seek
independent legal advice in relation to the nature, contents, terms and effect
of this Agreement and he fully understands the nature of this Agreement and that
he is entering into this Agreement voluntarily. 

7.17      Counterparts/Electronic
Execution. This Agreement may be executed in several parts in the same form
and such parts as so executed shall together constitute one original document,
and such parts, if more than one, shall be read together and construed as if all
the signing parties had executed one copy of the said Agreement. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Agreement as
of the date first above written. 

THE ALKALINE WATER COMPANY INC. 

	Per: 	/s/
      Steven P. Nickolas 	 
	  	Authorized Signatory 	 

	EXECUTED by RICHARD A. WRIGHT in the 	 )	 
	presence of: 	 )	 
	  	 )	 
	  	 )	 
	Signature 	 )	 
	  	 )	 /s/ Richard A. Wright 
	Print Name 	 )	 RICHARD A. WRIGHT 
	  	 )	 
	Address 	 )	 
	  	 )	 
	  	 )	 
	  	 )	 
	Occupation 	 )

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