Waukesha Water Plan Sees Renewed Opposition As Vote Nears

Waukesha’s unprecedented request to draw its water supply from Lake Michigan has met some late opposition from U.S. and Canadian mayors within the Great Lakes basin.

The eight Great Lakes governors are scheduled to meet Tuesday in Chicago for a final vote on the Milwaukee suburb’s $207 million plan to tap lake water and return fully treated wastewater. The city would be the first U.S. community outside the Great Lakes drainage basin to use lake water since a compact to protect the Great Lakes became law in 2008.

Mayors across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence basin are urging the governors to reject Waukesha’s request. Racine Mayor John Dickert says the city has reasonable alternatives to provide safe drinking water.