Nestle Waters of North America announced on Monday that it is canceling plans to pump spring water from a location in Blue Lake Township. A Nestle spokesperson said that the company has “no interest in moving further” with plans at the Owasippe Scout Reservation. The possibility had been opposed by township officials and is currently in the process that would guard against large-scale water withdrawal by enacting a resolution that would limit the amount of water that can be withdrawn. According to one city official, they are moving forward with the resolution in case Nestle is interested in other sites in the township.
Over the past year, Nestle has attempted to expand in Osceola County while possible pumping sites have been discussed around the state. Nestle’s water bottling operations have been opposed in Michigan since the company began pumping water in 2002. Groups such as Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation, Earth First!, and the Sweetwater Alliance. Ongoing court litigation continues in response to how much water Nestle can pump at its Ice Mountain bottling facility in Mecosta County.
