Waukesha, WI - An Unprecedented Request to Divert Water from the Great Lakes Basin

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Case Description
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Geolocation: 43° 0' 42.0422", -88° 13' 53.3327"
Climate Descriptors Continental (Köppen D-type)
Predominent Land Use Descriptors industrial use, urban, urban- high density
Important Uses of Water Domestic/Urban Supply, Industry - consumptive use

Summary

The Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River Basin has been recognized as an invaluable resource for the United States and Canada. The network of lakes and rivers constitutes 84% of North America’s fresh surface water, and over 20% of the world’s fresh surface water supply.[1] The management of the basin is a complex interaction of two nations, eight states, two provinces, and hundreds of First Nation, Tribal, and municipal authorities. The United States and Canada signed the Boundary Waters Treaty in 1909 to address concerns regarding water quality and water quantity.[2] Since the signing of this treaty, the two nations have been encouraging public involvement to help dictate the governance of the basin. Numerous agreements have been signed to ensure the responsible use and conservation of this great resource. In December 2008 the Great Lakes Compact was passed into U.S. federal law banning the transfer of Great Lakes water from leaving the basin. [3] The city of Waukesha, WI has become the first community located fully outside the basin to apply for an exemption to this water diversion ban. Waukesha currently draws its public water supply from a combination of deep and shallow aquifers. The groundwater from the deep aquifer contains radium, which is a carcinogen. The local water utility must mix the two sources to provide a product that can meet the EPA’s standards. The city has until 2018 to meet a stricter set of standards. It is Waukesha’s intention to purchase Lake Michigan water from the nearby community of Oak Creek and discharge wastewater to Root River, which will flow back into Lake Michigan. The case has caught the attention of residents all around the basin living in both countries.[4] The Wisconsin DNR is currently in the process of reviewing Waukesha’s water diversion application. If approved, the application will go on to be reviewed by eight U.S. Governors and two Canadian Premiers. The final decision of this case will serve as an example for how the Great Lakes Compact will be implemented.[5]



Natural, Historic, Economic, Regional, and Political Framework

History [6]



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  1. ^ [1], EPA. (2012). Great Lakes: Basic Information. Retrieved May 02, 2014.
  2. ^ [2], Newton, J. T. (2006). International Waters Learning Exchange & Resource Network. Retrieved March 2014.
  3. ^ [3], CGLG. (n.d.). Council of Great Lakes Governors. Retrieved April 2014, from Great Lakes Water Management.
  4. ^ [4], Milwaukee River Keeper. (n.d.). Waukesha Diversion. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  5. ^ [5], WDNR. (n.d.). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from Waukesha Diversion Application.
  6. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named EPA_GL_Basic