Nestle bottled-water company seeks to take more Michigan water

[TexasTowelie]

Nestle Waters North America's plans to increase its Michigan groundwater withdrawal by more than 2 1/2 times would unravel an accord reached with environmentalists seven years ago that was aimed at protecting the water table and wildlife.

Nestlé announced a $36-million expansion at its Ice Mountain bottling operations in Stanwood, in Mecosta County, on Oct. 31. The addition of two water-bottling lines — the first to begin operation next spring; the next opening by 2018 — is expected to add 20 jobs to the plant, which employs more than 250 people.

But the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has not yet approved the company's request to increase its groundwater withdrawals by 167% — from 150 gallons per minute to 400 gallons per minute — at White Pine Springs well No. 101 in nearby Osceola County. The DEQ has, however, recommended approval under the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act.

Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation sued Nestlé in 2001 over the potential damage to lakes, rivers and streams that groundwater withdrawals from its bottled-water plant would cause. After years of court battles, the two sides reached a settlement agreement in 2009, reducing Nestlé's siphoning to 218 gallons per minute from 400, with additional restrictions on spring and summer withdrawals. The litigation cost the nonprofit more than $1 million, which was covered by supporters.

Read more: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/11/21/nestl-bottled-water-company-seeks-take-michigan-water/94210466/

[longship]

1. This is where I live.

My artesian well draws water from the same damned water table.

Nestlé has a huge warehouse where they bottle their water and ship it out to wherever they sell it.

Buying water by the bottle is a really, really stupid way to do things. When I go to the grocery store -- we have three choices, WalMart, Meiers, AlDi -- I see people with their carts loaded up with cases of bottled water and I want to go into a rage. I withhold it only because I don't want to be banned from the only grocery stores in the area.

Tap water in Michigan is the best there is. And the damned bottled water comes from the same damned aquifer!

It pisses me off. BIG TIME!

[CrispyQ]

2. How is it a private company can siphon off OUR Commons

And sell it back to us for profit? Stop buying bottled water, people!!