News Release: MDEQ Announces Approval of Nestlé Groundwater Withdrawal Permit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2018

Contact: 
Tiffany Brown, DEQ Public Information Officer, brownt22@michigan.gov, 517-284-6716

MDEQ Announces Approval of Nestlé Groundwater Withdrawal Permit
The most extensive analysis of any water withdrawal permit in Michigan history

LANSING, MICH. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) today announced its decision to grant Nestlé Waters North America, Inc. (Nestlé) a permit to increase its groundwater withdrawal for the purpose of bottling drinking water. The permit was issued today.

“The scope and detail of the department’s review of the Nestlé permit application represents the most extensive analysis of any water withdrawal in Michigan history,” said C. Heidi Grether, director of MDEQ. “We are hopeful that whether residents agree with the Nestlé permitting decision or not, they will acknowledge and respect the work that MDEQ staff did to thoroughly and conscientiously apply the law in reviewing the permit.”

The MDEQ determined the application meets the requirements for approval under Section 17 of the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act, 1976 PA 399, as amended (Act 399), which is required to produce bottled drinking water if the water is from a new or increased large-quantity withdrawal of more than 200,000 gallons of water per day from the waters of the state.

“In full transparency, majority of the public comments received were in opposition of the permit, but most of them related to issues of public policy which are not, and should not be, part of an administrative permit decision. We cannot base our decisions on public opinion because our department is required to follow the rule of law when making determinations,” Grether added.

Nestlé now has to prepare a monitoring plan consistent with the requirements of the permit and submit it to MDEQ for consideration and approval. Once the monitoring plan is in place and baseline data is collected, Nestlé is authorized to begin withdrawing water at a rate up to 400 gallons per minute from White Pine Springs well located near Evart, Michigan.

Nestlé submitted its permit application to MDEQ in July 2016. A team of technical experts from MDEQ conducted a thorough review of the application and required Nestlé to submit extensive additional information during the more than 20 month review process. The MDEQ also held public meetings, extended the public comment period for a total of 214 days and held several consultations and a technical review with Michigan’s Tribal Nations to discuss the application and answer questions from the Tribal Council.

To view the permit or for more information and background, visit www.michigan.gov/deqnwna

Nestle Permit Issuance Briefing (pdf)

http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135-3313-399187--,00.html