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In: Detroit, Feature Homepage, flooding, infrastructure, Latest News, Michigan, News, water infrastructure, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
After water main break, officials say homes in Detroit’s Southwest will get repairs covered

By Adam Yahya Rayes and Sarah Cwiek, Michigan Public

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan, Circle of Blue, Great Lakes Now at Detroit PBS, Michigan Public and The Narwhal who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2025/02/after-water-main-break-officials-say-homes-in-detroits-southwest-will-get-repairs-covered/

Michigan Public

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In: Archived Projects, Library, water infrastructure

Library

Green Infrastructure Champions: Project Archive

This project has ended. Archived project materials are available below. 

 

Physical barriers prevent water from cycling naturally, resulting in flooding, sewer overflows, and risks to human health and property. City institutions that manage drinking, storm, and waste water are often separate systems or in separate departments. Mid-sized municipalities often lack the resources needed to adequately address these issues. The Great Lakes Green Infrastructure Champions Program helps communities overcome the physical and institutional barriers to more effective stormwater management by providing communities with tools they typically lack: funding and expertise. By addressing these barriers, the Green Infrastructure Champions Program will facilitate broader adoption of green infrastructure throughout the Great Lakes basin.

The program was piloted from 2016 to 2018 and continued through September 2020.

Learn More about Green Infrastructure Champions

The Great Lakes Commission Green Infrastructure Champions Program fosters the adoption of green infrastructure in communities across the binational Great Lakes region by creating a peer-to-peer mentorship network that accelerates knowledge transfer between pioneering and emerging green infrastructure champions. A small grants program complements the network to build green infrastructure capacity in emerging communities.

Green infrastructure is a cost-effective approach to water management that restores or mimics the natural water cycle. With funding from the Erb Family Foundation and support from an Advisory Team, the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) helps catalyze the adoption of green infrastructure practices and policies across the binational Great Lakes Basin.

The GLC’s Great Lakes Green Infrastructure Champions Program convenes green infrastructure leaders and helps them share their knowledge in order to foster the adoption of green infrastructure in communities across the binational Great Lakes region. The program coordinates a peer-to-peer mentoring network of “green infrastructure champions” and “emerging champions” that lack resources or expertise to integrate nature‐based solutions into their stormwater management. Mentors and mentees are paired based on needs and expertise that are tailored to unique community goals. The program also awards mini‐grants to a subset of participants in the mentoring network, enabling those communities to develop specific tools or projects that can scale up green infrastructure. Mentors and mentees share lessons learned through periodic webinars among all participants in the mentoring network. Finally, the program offers workshops to showcase successful green infrastructure projects and approaches and to share experiences about the tools and approaches that enable successful green infrastructure implementation.

The program was piloted from 2016 to 2018 and continued through September 2020.

 
Project Documents

Project Fact Sheet (2018)

Project Documents (Password Protected)

Password protected documents are archived for project team use, and are not available for public download.

 

Project Team and Collaborators

ErieStat was led by a team from the Great Lakes Commission in partnership with The Nature Conservancy. Guidance for ErieStat came from our Steering Committee and Content Advisory Group, which include members from state, provincial, and federal government; academic research institutions; nonprofit organizations; and other experts in the region. The Blue Accounting project received funding support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, and the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation.

 

For More Information

Nicole Zacharda
Program Manager, Great Lakes Commission
734-971-9135
nzacharda@glc.org

Return to the Library main page

CONTACT

If you need help finding library items, project information, or materials from inactive projects, please submit your inquiry here.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/work/champions-archive

Laura Andrews

On:
In: Archived Projects, Library, water infrastructure, Water quality

Library

Joint Action Plan for Clean Water Infrastructure and Services in the Great Lakes Region: Project Archive

This project has ended. Archived project materials are available below. 

The Great Lakes Commission’s Clean Water Infrastructure and Services Working Group developed a Joint Action Plan for Clean Water Infrastructure and Services in the region that outlines actions to address a backlog in needed upgrades and repairs to water-related infrastructure in the eight Great Lakes states and two provinces over the next 20 years — everything from wastewater treatment plants to stormwater pipes and drinking-water filtration systems. This backlog is conservatively estimated to cost $271 billion, and many experts believe that figure is a significant underestimate. The plan also calls for a better understanding the state of regional water infrastructure and the true needs to achieve a 21st century system.

The Action plan was endorsed by the full Commission at its 2017 Annual Meeting.

• Joint Action Plan

• Appendices

• GLC Resolution 

For More Information

Nicole Zacharda
Program Manager, Great Lakes Commission
734-971-9135
nzacharda@glc.org

Return to the Library main page

CONTACT

If you need help finding library items, project information, or materials from inactive projects, please submit your inquiry here.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/work/water-infrastructure-action-plan

Laura Andrews

On:
In: Library, water infrastructure

Library

Approaches for Improving Great Lakes Water Infrastructure: A Blueprint

Visit the Approaches for Improving Great Lakes Water Infrastructure: A Blueprint web page to view this document and more information at https://www.glc.org/work/glwi.

Approaches for Improving Great Lakes Water Infrastructure: A Blueprint |  2022

 

 

 

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CONTACT

If you need help finding library items, project information, or materials from inactive projects, please submit your inquiry here.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/library/2022-10-glwi-blueprint

Laura Andrews

On:
In: Algae Blooms, clean water, Drinking Water, Equity and Environmental Justice, Feature Homepage, flint, Gary Wilson, infrastructure, Latest News, Lead, Michigan, New York, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, The States, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, water infrastructure, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin
Water executive tells cities to “get creative” when it comes to replacing lead service lines

Lynn Broaddus has little patience for cities who focus on the reasons why they can’t replace lead service lines.

She understands that finances are a big part of the problem but says too often cities focus on the barriers, instead of what’s possible.

Broaddus is the recent past-president and now a trustee with the international group Water Environment Federation, a non-profit focused on increasing the awareness of the impact and value of water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/water-executive-creative-replacing-lead-service-lines/

Gary Wilson

On:
In: Drinking Water, Feature Homepage, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Latest News, Michigan, Municipalities, News, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, water infrastructure, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Water's True Cost
Short-changing Michigan local governments has resulted in deteriorating water systems and other services

By Lester Graham, Michigan Radio

This story is part of “Water’s True Cost,” a series by the Great Lakes News Collaborative focused on the rising cost of water in Michigan and the various causes leading to the state of water systems today. Find the rest of the stories in the series here.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/short-changing-michigan-local-governments-deteriorating-water-systems/

Michigan Radio

On:
In: AP, Drinking Water, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Michigan, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, wastewater, water infrastructure, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Task force looking at water infrastructure in SE Michigan

DETROIT (AP) — A group of government, business and nonprofit organizations is looking at water infrastructure in southeastern Michigan.

The current condition and actions needed for sustainable water infrastructure systems is the focus of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments Water Infrastructure Task Force.

The task force also will address flooding issues, project funding, equity, affordability and other topics.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/ap-task-force-water-infrastructure-michigan/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Policy, Washington Update, water infrastructure
HOW Coalition - Support Comprehensive Infrastructuere Legislation (9.29.21) (002)

The post HOW Letter to Representatives: Support Comprehensive Infrastructure Legislation appeared first on Healing Our Waters Coalition.

Original Article

Healing Our Waters Coalition

Healing Our Waters Coalition

https://healthylakes.org/how-letter-to-representatives-support-comprehensive-infrastructure-legislation/

Lindsey Bacigal

On:
In: aquatic invasive species, Archived Projects, Library, water infrastructure

LIBRARY

Invasive Species and the Chicago Area Waterway System

This project has ended. Archived project materials are available below.

Since 2010, the Great Lakes Commission has been leading efforts to prevent Asian carp and other aquatic invasive species (AIS) from entering the Great Lakes basin from the Mississippi River watershed through the critical Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). The GLC served as convener and member of the CAWS Advisory Committee, a regional stakeholder forum seeking the best short and long-term solutions to the threat of Asian carp and other AIS passing through the CAWS while maintaining current uses of the system. The Advisory Committee consists of representatives from regional public and private stakeholders, representing governmental, commercial, recreational, business, and environment sectors.

From 2014-2016, the CAWS Advisory Committee developed a series of recommendations for President Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress on near and long-term actions to prevent AIS from entering the Great Lakes through the CAWS. The GLC also led technical analyses; provided input on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study; and conducted a study of financing options. In 2012, the GLC and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative released a report entitled “Restoring the Natural Divide” that outlines engineering options for separating the CAWS to prevent AIS movement and examines potential improvements to commercial navigation, recreational boating, flood and stormwater management, and water quality.

Further reference: Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee

 

About Invasive Species and the Chicago Area Waterway System

Evidence suggests that two species of invasive carp — silver and bighead — are poised to invade the Great Lakes basin through the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). A federally led Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC) is managing the implementation of short and long-term actions to combat their spread into the Great Lakes basin. An electric dispersal barrier system is the only structural mechanism currently in place to prevent their migration through the CAWS. Extensive monitoring and fish removal efforts, led by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and its federal partners, are important – and so far – successful strategies to reduce the risk of population spread.

In 2012, the Great Lakes Commission and Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative completed a $2 million investigation that developed options for separating the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River basin in the CAWS as a potential long-term solution to the threat of AIS transfer. It also evaluated the costs, impacts, and improvements needed to maintain or enhance beneficial uses of the waterways. As part of the effort, an Advisory Committee was established to secure engagement from stakeholders and public agencies.

The CAWS Advisory Committee continued to meet to review key technical issues and provide input to federal agencies working on the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study (GLMRIS) and related efforts. The GLMRIS report presented several structural and non-structural alternatives to prevent the transfer of AIS through the CAWS but did not recommend a preferred solution. Following GLMRIS, the Advisory Committee worked to reach consensus on a set of recommendations, which took the form of three letters, to advance progress on this issue. In particular, the committee is closely tracking a feasibility study on establishing a single point to control one-way, upstream AIS transfer (i.e., Mississippi River basin into the Great Lakes basin) near the Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Joliet, Illinois.

The CAWS Advisory Committee is the only forum that brings together a diverse spectrum of stakeholders in a structured process to consider and evaluate continued steps toward a feasible plan to protect the Great Lakes from AIS while maintaining the diverse and important functions of the CAWS.

CAWS Aquatic Invasive Species Stakeholder Group Archive

This section contains archived CAWS Aquatic Invasive Species Stakeholder Group meeting information and related materials.

Dec. 14, 2018 webinar on the Army Corps of Engineers Brandon Road Study

Note: The Army Corps of Engineers has extended the review period for the Brandon Road Integrated Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement to February 22, 2019. The report is posted to the project website at https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/GLMRIS-BR. The end of State & Agency Review has also been extended to February 22, 2018.
.

Stakeholder Group Reference Book (password protected page)

spac

spac

Meeting Materials

December 19, 2018 Meeting

July 26, 2018 Meeting

March 12, 2018 Meeting

  • Agenda (PDF, Draft 2-16-2018)
  • Presentations

October 25-26, 2017 Meeting

Letters and Reports

The Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS) Advisory Committee initiated its current consensus-building effort in May 2014. Since that time the Committee has met 10 times and released a series of consensus letters to the President and U.S. Congress outlining their recommendations:

Technical Reports
Prepared by HDR

As part of the CAWS Advisory Committee process, committee members defined a series of questions and information needs. The below report summarizes the technical investigations conducted by HDR assessing the risk of invasive species transfer and impacts to navigation relative to certain control measures, as well as a high level summary of background information presented to the committee regarding flood risk and water quality, including CSOs and contaminated sediments.

Restoring the Natural Divide: Separating the Great Lakes And Mississippi River Basins in the Chicago Area Waterway System

In 2010, the Great Lakes Commission and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative identified engineering options for Chicago’s waterway system that would prevent interbasin movement of AIS, including Asian carp. The study also examines potential improvements to the waterway’s roles in commercial navigation, recreational boating, flood and stormwater management, and water quality.

For More Information

Nicole Zacharda
Program Manager
Great Lakes Commission
nzacharda@glc.org

Return to the Library main page

CONTACT

If you need help finding library items, project information, or materials from inactive projects, please submit your inquiry here.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/work/caws-in-progress

Laura Andrews

On:
In: Policy, water infrastructure

Today is part two in our series on Great Lakes Priorities that both major party Presidential candidates must pledge to address in order to truly stand with Great Lakes communities. Last week we looked at the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and the wonderful work it continues to do for the Great Lakes and the 30 million Americans who call the region home. This week we’ll be looking at water infrastructure and the ways that communities are impacted by a lack of funding for basic infrastructure.

Safe, affordable drinking water is a basic human need, but too many Great Lakes communities suffer from a lack of access. Among the many cracks in our infrastructure that COVID-19 has revealed, the humanitarian crisis that afflicts millions of Americans – the lack of access to safe, affordable drinking water – must be addressed by the next President.

Our current water safety and affordability woes stem from decades of under-investment in the nation’s water infrastructure. Over the past forty years, federal investments in local wastewater and drinking water infrastructure have dropped precipitously. And the results are tragic. Upwards of 16 million Americans have experienced a water shutoff, and one study predicts that by 2022, more than one-third of people in the United States will have trouble paying their water bills.

As federal funding dropped off, local authorities have had to pick up the slack, and, too often, they cannot keep up. This has resulted in cracked pipes, lead and heavy metal exposure, along with soaring maintenance costs and skyrocketing water bills for local people. Great Lakes communities, particularly low-income communities and communities of color, feel the brunt of this disinvestment through higher costs and less safe water.

The EPA estimates that fixing, updating and modernizing the region’s crumbling water infrastructure will cost up to $188 billion over the next 20 years, and that backlog grows every year that we fail to invest in our nation’s water infrastructure.

The Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition is calling on the next president to create and fund an equitable plan that addresses our region’s $188 billion backlog in drinking water, wastewater and storm water infrastructure to ensure that all people have safe, clean and affordable drinking water.

America is at a crossroads, and together we can choose to bequeath to future generations a thriving water system where access to clean water is something that no one has to go without. That future can be ours with equitable investments that make sure that communities that have borne the brunt of decades of disinvestment are heard first and foremost.

But time is of the essence. Every year that passes without a solution is one more year of risk for thousands of water systems that are in need of maintenance. Sewage overflows, corroded pipes, and lead poisoning are just some of the consequences that communities are dealing with and will continue to deal with, so long as this infrastructure backlog is left unaddressed.

It’s time for both Joe Biden and Donald Trump to pledge to stand with Great Lakes communities and communities across America. It’s time for them to pledge to work with Congress on a realistic, actionable and equitable plan to deal with what America has put off for too long, including a tripling of federal investments, to start. America’s communities can’t wait.

The post A Great Lakes Water Infrastructure Plan for the 2020s appeared first on Healing Our Waters Coalition.

Original Article

Healing Our Waters Coalition

Healing Our Waters Coalition

https://healthylakes.org/a-great-lakes-water-infrastructure-plan-for-the-2020s/

Pavan Vangipuram

On:
In: AP, COVID-19, Detroit, Fatbergs, infrastructure, Michigan, News, Pennsylvania, plastic, pollution, water infrastructure
Epidemic of wipes and masks plagues sewers, storm drains

By Claudia Lauer and John Flesher, Associated Press Writers

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Mayor Jim Kenney kicked off a recent briefing on Philadelphia’s coronavirus response with an unusual request for residents: Be careful what you flush.

Between mid-March, when the city’s stay-at-home order was issued, and the end of April, most of the 19 sewer and storm water pumping stations in Philadelphia had experienced clogs from face masks, gloves and wipes residents had pitched into the potty, Kenney said.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/06/ap-wipes-and-masks-sewers-storm-drains/

The Associated Press