You may have heard something about the Ice Mountain controversy, especially if you live near the action. In 2001, the group Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation (MCWC) filed a lawsuit against Nestle Waters North America, who operate an Ice Mountain bottled water plant in Mecosta County. This is a very complex issue, which will likely take years more to resolve. The short version of the story is this: MCWC charges that Nestle's extraction of large amounts of water from the Sanctuary Springs site is adversely affecting surface water bodies in the area. In November of 2003, Judge Lawrence Root of the Mecosta Circuit Court ruled in favor of MCWC, and ordered Nestle to cease pumping at the Sanctuary Springs site immediately. Nestle in turn has secured an emergency stay from the Michigan court of appeals, pending appellate review (appeals). Sound confusing? It is. But it is an important case that sets many precedents for future cases concerning the use of Michigan's ground water, and is worth knowing about. Look around on the internet for the latest news on the Ice Mountain case.

This issue highlights some of the concepts introduced in this module. Can you see how the ground water-surface water interaction and drawdown play a role in this case?

EXPLORE: Related Links

MCWC web page

Director of MDEQ on decision