Governors of the eight Great Lakes States will soon have to decide whether to allow the city of Waukesha, Wisconsin, to draw water from Lake Michigan. The city says its water supply is tainted by radium and that Lake Michigan is its only viable alternative. But some environmentalists worry about setting a precedent for Great Lakes raids. Current State talks with Jon Allan of the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes.
Jon Allen is director of Michigan’s Office of the Great Lakes. Image: Michigan Office of the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes hold 20 percent of the world’s fresh surface water, and the eight states and two Canadian provinces that border the lakes are pretty protective of that water. Perhaps that’s why an application from Waukesha, Wisconsin, to draw drinking water from Lake Michigan is generating controversy. The city says Lake Michigan is its only viable source for safe drinking water, but some environmentalists are urging the governors of the Great Lakes states to deny that request.
Current State talks to Director of Michigan’s Office of the Great Lakes Jon Allan about the request.
This story appeared on WKAR’s Current State and is republished here with permission.