© 2024 Interlochen
CLASSICAL IPR | 88.7 FM Interlochen | 94.7 FM Traverse City | 88.5 FM Mackinaw City IPR NEWS | 91.5 FM Traverse City | 90.1 FM Harbor Springs/Petoskey | 89.7 FM Manistee/Ludington
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

State Court of Appeals sides with Osceola Township in dispute with Nestle

Flicker

Bottled water from Nestle Waters does not meet the definition of an “essential service,” according to a decision Tuesday from the Michigan Court of Appeals. 

The ruling blocks Nestle’s efforts to increase water withdrawals in Osceola county.

The appeals court overturned a 2017 circuit court decision which found that Osceola Township was wrong not to give Nestle a permit to build a water pumping station. 

Nestle wants to increase water withdrawals in the area but that requires permits from both Osceola Township and the state. The state permit is also being contested.

At issue was whether Nestle’s bottling operation met the standard of an “essential service.” If it did, Osceola township would have been wrong to deny Nestle a permit.

The 2017 decision found that water was essential to human life — and that made Nestle’s bottling operation an “essential service.”

Bill Fahey is a representative for Osceola Township. He said the appeals court overturned that decision, finding that selling water for profit did not represent an “essential service.”

“In their view bottled water was not essential. Period,” he said.

Fahey added that the appeals court decision is a win for the Township. 

“Compared to where we were after the circuit court, it’s 180 degrees,” he said.

Fahey said it’s possible the decision could have implications for the state permit for increasing water withdrawals, which is currently being contested and is awaiting a decision from an Administrative Law Judge. 

“The court made a determination here that Nestle’s water well is not a public water supply under the Safe Drinking 

Water Act. That could have a significant effect on Nestle’s application that is pending before EGLE,” he said.

A spokesperson for EGLE did not respond to our request for comment on this issue.

A spokesperson for Nestle Waters said the company is disappointed with the decision and will evaluate possible next steps in the legal process.

The spokesperson said the goal of the company has always been to reduce any impact to the local community and environment.

You can read their full statement below:

Nestlé Waters North America (NWNA) is disappointed in the Michigan Court of Appeals ruling, which reversed the decision of the Circuit Court. We firmly believe that the Circuit Court was correct in ordering Osceola Township to issue a permit for our request to build a small, 12-foot by 22-foot building, to house a booster pump.  We believe the plan we proposed met the Township’s site plan and special land use standards. We will evaluate our possible next steps in the legal process.  

From the beginning, our goal with this request has been to reduce, as much as possible, any impact to the local community and the environment. In addition, the structure would be a positive contribution and would provide additional tax revenue to Osceola Township. Nestlé Waters has worked to be a good neighbor to Osceola Township for over 17 years. We value our relationships with Township residents and community leaders, and always strive to create shared value within the communities where we operate.