Nestlé Abandons Michigan Bottling Plant

Says Water from Aquifer “Too Oldâ€

(April 1, 2006) After fighting state regulators and community activists for five years, Nestlé Waters announced today that it is voluntarily a­ban­don­ing its bottling plant and wells in Mesocta County where it processes Ice Mountain brand water.

Nestlé Waters CEO Carlo Dasani said that further tests on the aquifer revealed that the water was simply too old and was well past its expiration date.

"Our scientists have discovered that the Marshall aquifer water dates back 21,000 years when glaciers covered Michigan. Because this water is some 20,999 years past its expiration date there is some concern over its possible effects on human health. Although there have been no reports of illness due to the consuption of this water, Nestlé will nevertheless undertake a voluntary recall campaign.â€

Nestlé draws its water from the Marshall aquifer, a large body of underground water, in Stanwood, Michigan, about 50 miles north of Grand Rapids.

Water rights activists cheered the announcement. “We’re happy that this long nightmare is now behind us, but Nestlé should have known that the water was well past its expiration date. Un­­for­­tun­­ate­­ly, per­haps millions of people have now been ex­pos­ed to expired water,†says Terri Swiller president of the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation.

Local officials could not be reached for comment.

Consumers are advised to return unused water to their local retailer for a full refund or exchange. Experts caution that consumers should not attempt to dispose of the old water by pouring it into local drains or sewers.

Dr. Ach Tuoh says that short-term exposure to the expired water should have no detrimental health effects but that more long-term studies are needed. Tuoh, an expert on hydration from the National Academy for the Advanced Study of Dihydrogen Monoxide Physical and Chemical Constants, warns consumers to see their family physician if they are frequently urinating or find that their thirst response has been suppressed after consumption of the old water.