Nestle Waters North America has won a key decision in its effort to pump more water from a well in western Michigan.

An administrative law judge last week upheld a state permit allowing the company to pump 400 gallons a minute from a well near Evart in Osceola County.

That's a 60% increase over current levels.

Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians had challenged a permit approved in 2018 by Governor Rick Snyder's administration.