Now you can get real time reports of water temperature, flows, levels and quality of rivers, lakes and groundwater.
The United States Geological Survey is providing that information by combining mapping and Internet technology.

Many Great Lakes cities are discouraging water use by setting conservation water rates.
But utility providers can lose money if rates aren’t set correctly.

A Great Lakes Echo analysis shows many cities are hiking the per-gallon costs of water to encourage water conservation, especially in large metropolitan areas.

On Wednesdays through July, Great Lakes Echo will run a video segment expected to become a building block of a finished documentary on the greening of Flint, Mich.

You can help by suggesting interviews, questions and angles to pursue.

This week: The city mows down a resident’s gardens.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs use less energy.

They also contain mercury, and that has some doctors concerned about their ultimate disposal.

Great Lakes residents looking to lend a helping hand have a new resource at their fingertips.

An international coalition dedicated to restoring the region’s ecosystem has developed a mashup that allows users to post cleanup opportunities.

The accidental poisoning of Michigan dairy cattle in the 1970s sparked the largest chemical contamination in United States history. Nine million residents consumed contaminated meat and milk for a year.

A community advisory group was created in response to a cleanup at Velsicol Chemical Corp., the company responsible for Michigan’s PBB crisis. Ed Lorenz chairs its legal committee.

More than 1,000 proposals requesting $946 million were trimmed to 270 finalists.

On Wednesdays through July, Great Lakes Echo will run a video segment expected to become a building block of a finished documentary on the greening of Flint, Mich. You can help.