Sensible Water Supply Planning for Metropolitan Chicago's Future
Metropolitan Chicago is fortunate to have access to abundant freshwater–from Lake Michigan to the Fox and Kankakee rivers to water stores that lie below the surface, called aquifers. Yet, without thoughtful policies and planning, we risk mismanaging these assets and jeopardizing community and regional growth. To make the best use of their shared water resources – which our region relies on not only for drinking water, but also recreational, industrial, and transportation uses – communities must work together and with regional and state decision makers and the private sector. MPC helps decisionmakers at all levels of government develop plans and policies to manage our water supply resources in more productive and cost-effective ways. Working closely with partners, including the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and Openlands, MPC brings nearly a decade of experience assisting local communities to solve water supply management concerns, often in collaboration with neighboring communities that share the same water supply. Simultaneously, MPC pursues policy reforms to ensure communities have quality data about our water supply, and incentives that allow for, encourage and fund innovative water management techniques.
What Our Water’s Worth is an ongoing campaign led by the Metropolitan Planning Council and Openlands to raise awareness about the value of water in northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana. From Lake Michigan to the Fox River, how we use our water resources – including what we conserve, how much we waste, and what we choose to invest in water quality – is up to each of us. Sign up for MPC's twice monthly Re-Connection newsletter to learn more about our water and how you can protect it.
Water supplies do not heed jurisdictional boundaries, and neither should water management solutions. The Northwest Water Planning Alliance represents five councils of government, including approximately 80 communities and five counties (DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, Lake and McHenry), encompassing over 1.3 million people, and its purpose is collaborative water resources planning. In 2012 the Metropolitan Planning Council is providing technical assistance and policy research for the Alliance, focusing on strategies for interjurisdictional water conservation and efficiency ordinances.
Articles
- MPC by the Numbers: 2012 Edition
-
- What a year 2012 has been! Just as news outlets look back at the year in headlines, here at MPC we think there's value in taking a moment to reflect on the milestones we've reached over the past 12 months. MPC by the Numbers is a numeric snapshot of these accomplishments, drawn primarily from data…
Coalition urges 'exacting' search for new MWRD executive director-
- The Chicago Tribune published this letter submitted by a coalition of regional water advocates, including MPC, on March 15, 2011.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) is at a pivotal point in recruiting new leadership to manage the Chicago area’s vital stormwater and wastewater…
CMAP announces technical assistance grantees-
- The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s (CMAP) comprehensive plan for northeastern Illinois, GO TO 2040, was approved in October 2010. Now the region’s collective challenge is how to implement it.
With a $4.25 million grant from the Sustainable Communities Initiative, CMAP will…
Where do Chicago's mayoral candidates stand on key regional issues?-
- Much is at stake on Tuesday, Feb. 22, when Chicago voters will elect their first new mayor in 22 years from a slate of candidates that, for the first time in 60 years, does not include an incumbent. Through our Keepers and Seekers briefing book, participation in coalition efforts to advance the…
A Fork in the River: New video explores future of our waterways-
- It's been about a year since Asian carp hit the news in a big way. Here in the Chicago region our most notorious invasive species may have slipped from the front pages, but elsewhere in the broader Great Lakes region they are still very much on people's minds. Fortunately for everyone involved,…
More related articles »
Multimedia
- MPC Roundtable—Tough Stuff: Resilient Infrastructure in a Changing World
-
- Presentation
- May 17, 2013
- Slides from the May 15, 2013 MPC Roundtable on resilient infrastructure.
MPC Roundtable—Immeasurable Loss: Modernizing Lake Michigan Water Use-
- Audio-only recording of May 7, 2013 MPC Roundtable—Immeasurable Loss: Modernizing Lake Michigan Water Use. A video recording is also available.
Immeasurable Loss: Modernizing Lake Michigan Water Use-
- Publication
- (6 MB)
- May 7, 2013
- Download infographics from report (EPS and PNG formats, 2.4MB)
The Chicago area is privileged to be situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, the third largest of the Great Lakes, which altogether account for 20 percent of the world’s readily available freshwater. Lake Michigan supports a…
Before the Wells Run Dry: Ensuring Sustainable Water Supplies for Illinois-
- Publication
- (4 MB)
- Nov 19, 2009
- This report recommends coordinated planning and implementation strategies that will capitalize on the work of the pilot regional planning groups, integrate regional plans with state and local practices, and ensure the long-term sustainability and efficient use of our finite, fragile water…
- Executive Summary
Before the Wells Run Dry: Ensuring Sustainable Water Supplies for Illinois
-
- Publication
- (1 MB)
- Nov 19, 2009
- This report recommends coordinated planning and implementation strategies that will capitalize on the work of the pilot regional planning groups, integrate regional plans with state and local practices, and ensure the long-term sustainability and efficient use of our finite, fragile water…
More related multimedia »
Reports
Before the Wells Run Dry
(2009) – Presents a series of recommendations for how Illinois can support and continue the existing regional water supply planning groups, reform state policies and programs to support regional water supply planning throughout Illinois, increase the efficiency of investment in water-related infrastructure, and ultimately reward local management that conserves shared water resources.
Troubled Waters
(2005) – Urged the State of Illinois to establish a statewide framework for regional supply planning, based on data, integrated management of surface water and groundwater, and inclusion of water demand analysis in land use planning.
Changing Course
(2003) – Examined the relationship between development practices and water quality and quantity in a 12-county northeastern Illinois region.
Collaborators
Openlands
Lenore Beyer-Clow, Policy Director
Northwest Water Planning Alliance
Peter Wallers, Technical Advisory Committee Chair
Funders
The Field Foundation of Illinois
Grand Victoria Foundation
Lawrence Howe
Illinois American Water
Veolia Water