A few days ago, Waukesha, WI confessed to an urgent need for a new water source (Lake Michigan) or drastic conservation measures. Now the Chicago area weighs in. Both are emphasizing conservation first, which is good, but whether this is public relations or genuine is unclear. What is clear is that the Great Lakes compact signed by the 8 Great Lakes governors last month gives special treatment to the existing Chicago diversion of water from Lake Michigan. That may translate to special treatment to a request from the Chicago area to increase the diversion.
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/sunpub/wheaton/news/du27water.htm
Martin said the Lake Michigan water used in DuPage doesn't return to the lake, at least immediately, because it's not in its drainage basin. Before it can be soaked into the ground, a lot of water also runs off the surface into storm sewers.
"Water drains elsewhere as opposed to just in Lake Michigan," he said.
Other Great Lakes states that extract water are allowed to do so only within the detention basin, but Illinois is exempt because of the legal ruling limiting by cubic square foot the amount extracted. If it had to comply with the regulations of other states, only those within a few blocks of the lake would be able to use its water, Martin said.
Posted by Dave at January 30, 2006 09:45 AM