FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
June 12, 2026
Contact: Levi Teitel, levi@progressmichigan.org
New Poll: Michiganders Support Funding Water Infrastructure with Royalty on Bottled Water Companies
A strong majority supports charging bottled water companies a 25-cent royalty per gallon of water extracted from Michigan sources
MICHIGAN – Recent polling conducted by Progress Michigan in partnership with Public Policy Polling shows that a strong majority of Michiganders would support a new bill package, the Michigan Water Trust Fund Act (SB 950 & 951), that would charge a royalty to bottled water companies to fund measures such as upgrading drinking water systems, providing resources for septic system maintenance, and helping residents with water affordability. The royalty would generate approximately $300 million each year.
“Companies that extract, bottle, and sell water should pay what they owe from profiting off Michigan’s water resources,” said Justin Mendoza, executive director of Progress Michigan. “Our aging water infrastructure is under immense pressure as a result of underfunding and increasing extreme weather events, like the flooding we experienced this spring. If we can create a fund, paid for by royalties from bottled water companies, we can ensure a stable source of funding for our most urgent water-related needs without raising water rates for Michigan families.”
In concert with Progress Michigan, Public Policy Polling interviewed 687 Michigan voters from May 21-22, 2026 by phone and text. Margin of error for this poll is +/-3.7 percent.
Michigan lawmakers are considering a new law that would charge bottled water companies a 25-cent royalty for every gallon of water they extract from Michigan water sources. The money raised would fund upgrades to drinking water systems, provide resources for septic system maintenance, and help residents with water affordability. Would you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose a new royalty charged to bottled water companies to fund water infrastructure improvements and affordability measures?
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