Waukesha, Wisconsin Begins Drawing Lake Michigan Water
After years of seeking approval from regulators, a Milwaukee suburb has now kicked off the process of drawing millions of gallons of water daily from Lake Michigan. This new water source comes as a lifeline for the city of Waukesha, addressing its long-standing water quality issues.
The city of Waukesha officially commenced its water diversion project on Monday, marking a significant turning point. City officials expect that within just five days, 90% of the city’s residents will be relying on Lake Michigan’s water for their daily needs.
8.2 Million Gallons Daily from Lake Michigan
Waukesha’s ambitious plan involves sourcing up to a whopping 8.2 million gallons of water each day from Lake Michigan to serve as its primary public water supply. To keep things environmentally responsible, the city has a plan in place to treat and return wastewater to the lake through the Root River. This approach, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, will result in minimal net water loss.
The decision to draw water from Lake Michigan came after a decade-long struggle. In 2010, the city sought permission from regulators due to contamination of its groundwater wells with radium, a naturally occurring radioactive metal.
Great Lakes Compact and Legal Approval
The Great Lakes region has a pact among the states and Canadian provinces, Quebec and Ontario, which generally forbids diverting water outside the Great Lakes basin. However, exceptions are made for communities in counties that straddle the basin’s boundaries. Waukesha County falls under this exception, allowing them to tap into Lake Michigan.
The power to authorize U.S. water diversions rests solely with the states. In 2016, they granted approval to Waukesha’s request, and in 2021, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources gave the final nod for the water diversion project to proceed.
This milestone marks a significant moment for Waukesha, as it secures a reliable and clean water source, ensuring the well-being of its residents for years to come.