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Water is essential for human consumption, industry, recreation, and the
quality and diversity of the environment in which we live. Water quality
and sustainability influence the health and well being of a community
and its citizens and define its economic base.
Growing populations and heavy development pressure can lead to increased
runoff and flooding, increased contaminated runoff, and reduced
groundwater recharge. In the southern Lake Michigan region, communities
planning development in the face of this growth need information so they
can consider choices that protect water quality and sustainability. For
example, Lake Michigan is being used to its legal limit in Illinois,
requiring expanding communities to deplete groundwater resources at an
increasing rate.
Bacterial and viral contamination of coastal waters in southern Lake
Michigan are common occurrences during the summer, leading to beach
closings or signage that warn swimmers of the health risks. This can
result in an immediate loss of tourism dollars and in additional
economic losses. Municipalities need science-based information that
amplifies detection capabilities necessary to ameliorate or treat the
health risks associated with this issue. Currently, information is
lacking as to the source of the contamination, the vectors that disperse
the contamination, effective methods for real time assessments, and
effective methods to treat the contamination.
The Wingspread Tri-State Regional Accord, in which four planning
agencies have committed to address environmental, transportation, and
economic issues, was originally initiated through a grant from IISG.
Subsequent funding from IISG helped to support Wingspread activities and
the creation of the Southern Lake Michigan Tri-State Water Consortium (a
collection of agencies, communities, local and state governments, and
industries in three states working together to develop and implement a
sustainable water supply plan within the area encompassed by the
Wingspread Accord). These initial investments by IISG have been
leveraged through support from the Johnson Foundation, the Joyce
Foundation, and others that sustain these activities today. IISG will
continue to further these important efforts over the next four years.
Goals
- Enhance the health of coastal residents by reducing the risks
from contaminants and coastal pathogens
- Improve water quality by reducing non-point source pollution
stemming from increased land development
- Provide solutions for ensuring the water supply for future users
of the water resources of Lake Michigan and adjacent watersheds
Funded Research
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