Michigan OKs Nestle’s bid to pump more water for bottling

Michigan officials have approved a permit allowing Nestle Waters North America Inc. to pump more groundwater for its Ice Mountain brand.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality ruled Monday the company’s application to increase water output to 400 gallons a minute meets state standards.

Officials say in a statement that most of public comments they received expressed opposition to the permit, but the department “thoroughly and conscientiously” applied the law in its review.

The company had been permitted to withdraw 250 gallons a minute from an underground aquifer in western Michigan’s Osceola Township.

The township originally denied a permit application by Nestle to build a pumping station to get more groundwater. A Mason County judge ruled Nestle could build the station, and the township appealed.  (AP)