OSCEOLA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A judge says a bottled-water company should be allowed to build a pumping station as part of its plans to get more groundwater in western Michigan for the Ice Mountain brand.
Nestle Waters North America sued after Osceola County’s Osceola Township rejected a zoning permit. Nestle wants to withdraw up to 400 gallons (1,514 liters) a minute, with help from a pipeline booster station at SpringHill Camps, a summer camp.
Mason County Judge Susan Sniegowski ruled this week, ordering Osceola Township to issue a permit for construction of the station.
Nestle says it’s pleased with the ruling. Osceola Township says the judge improperly analyzed its zoning ordinance.
The permit dispute is separate from a decision to increase water output. That request is pending at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
