Cases / Water use · United States · 2018
Michigan allows Nestlé to take up to 576,000 gallons of groundwater a day
Short record: the main facts, with sources. A full case file has not been prepared.
Nature's voice · report
No measurement of the harm done to me here is on record.
Did nature suffer? Not measured.
Not on record
- The record does not name which of my species, waters, soils or forests were harmed.
In 2018 Michigan approved a Nestlé groundwater withdrawal of up to 576,000 gallons a day for an annual fee of $200, despite more than 80,000 public comments against it. The case concerns the low price of groundwater and the effect of pumping on local waterways.
What?
Michigan approved a Nestlé groundwater withdrawal of up to 576,000 gallons a day in 2018. WAMC/NPR
Where?
Michigan, United States WAMC/NPR
When?
April 2018 (approval reported) WAMC/NPR
Who?
Gained
- Nestlé — groundwater withdrawal for an annual fee of $200 WAMC/NPR
Lost
- A Michigan creek — lower flows from pumping, per a 2003 court finding Michigan Environmental Council
Harmed
None on recordWhy?
Not stated in the sources reviewed.
How?
A state permit allowed groundwater pumping at a set daily volume for an annual fee. WAMC/NPR
6 of 6 questions answered from the record
What happened
The record, in order.
WAMC and NPR reported in April 2018 that Michigan approved Nestlé taking up to 576,000 gallons of water a day, for an annual fee of $200, despite more than 80,000 public comments against it.
WOOD-TV reported in 2018 on the withdrawal and its annual fee of $200.
The Michigan Environmental Council reported a 2003 court finding that pumping lowered a creek, and a later pact that cut a Mecosta County withdrawal from 400 to 218 gallons a minute.
In court and with insurers
Every proceeding and every insurer decision on record.
Lawsuits and rulings
No court case on record. No court has ruled on this case.
Insurers
No insurer decision on record.
What we don't know
Undisclosed, unproven, untried: recorded as data.
Nature
- Not measured Harm to nature: The record holds no measurement of harm to nature.
Record
- None on record Not stated in the sources reviewed: whether the 2003 court finding and the later pact concern the 2018 permit.
- None on record Not stated in the sources reviewed: the aquifer, well locations, or the permit's status after 2018.
Did the harm stop?
Not stated in the sources reviewed.
Who paid?
Not stated in the sources reviewed.
Sources
Voices on record: — Company or project— Government and regulators— Courts✓ Press and investigations✓ Communities and civil society— Researchers
Press and investigations
- Michigan OKs Nestle water extraction despite over 80k public comments against itWAMC/NPR · 2018-04-03
- Underground profits: Nestle's clutch on Michigan waterWOOD-TV · 2018
Communities and civil society
- Pact reached: Nestle agrees to reduced water taking in Mecosta CountyMichigan Environmental Council ·
Connected cases
Related matters, and cases linked to this one through the same organisations, with the role each played in both.
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- Nestlé (Company) — here: operator of the groundwater withdrawal; there: Partner in the 4.9 billion euro partnership that includes Erikli
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- Nestlé (Company) — here: operator of the groundwater withdrawal; there: Named corporate buyer of Isthmus wind power
- Kariba REDD+ project (Zimbabwe) Zimbabwe · 2011–2025
- Nestlé (Company) — here: operator of the groundwater withdrawal; there: Credit buyer
- Nestlé black cumin patent application draws protest of over 300,000 signatures Switzerland · 2013–2014
- Nestlé (Company) — here: operator of the groundwater withdrawal; there: Patent applicant
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- Nestlé (Company) — here: operator of the groundwater withdrawal; there: Dropped its claims in March 2026
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- Nestlé (Company) — here: operator of the groundwater withdrawal; there: Credit buyer; co-developer of Verra's standard
- Veolia settles Flint water claims for 53 million dollars, admitting no fault United States · 2014–2025
- State of Michigan (Government) — here: approved the withdrawal; there: Public body that settled earlier and announced the Veolia settlement
- Verra plastic credits Philippines · 2022–2025
- Nestlé (Company) — here: operator of the groundwater withdrawal; there: Co-developer of the Verra standard; Nestlé Philippines bought burning credits