Protecting Water Security in the Chicago Area

Despite sitting next to a huge source of water in Lake Michigan, the Chicago area still needs to pay attention to water conservation efforts. New projects have launched to pay closer attention to the region's water security.

"In 2009, water supply planning took a major step forward when two pilot regional water supply planning groups - one in northeastern Illinois and one focused on the Mahomet Aquifer area in the middle of the state - completed Illinois' first stakeholder-driven water supply and demand plans. Reaching regional consensus on water issues has been a huge accomplishment, but more coordination is needed. Illinois needs goals that are consistent across state agencies, from the Illinois. Dept. of Natural Resources to the state's . Environmental Protection Agency to its Dept. of Transportation - and they need to be pursued through a mix of incentives and regulations."