Naturally, when we use water to wash dishes or to drink, we either pull it from the groundwater beneath us or the surface water around us.
Most of the groundwater used by people and businesses is returned to our aquifers (a layer of earth containing our groundwater), one way or another. But not all water is replenished. The two biggest consumers? Those powering our homes with electricity and those irrigating our crops – about 65% of our lost water comes from these two groups alone.
At its worst, unsustainable water use threatens crop health, damages ecosystems and weakens the quality of our drinking water.
To provide holistic solutions that promote smart water withdrawals statewide, we must better understand our aquifers, the geology surrounding them and how our groundwater interacts with surface water.
Enter the Water Use Advisory Council. This group of appointed, expert Michigan citizens recently gave its first recommendations to the Michigan Legislature. Included: a minimum $11 million investment over two years to collect, analyze and use groundwater data.
This water use data would be the cornerstone of policies that protect Michigan’s environment and people through science-grounded fact.
Included on the Council are Tom Zimnicki – program director for Michigan Environmental Council – and Bryan Burroughs – executive director of Michigan Trout Unlimited and member group representative on MEC’s board.
Join Tom, Bryan and MEC President & CEO Conan Smith in a Friday Capitol Connection webinar as they discuss the impacts unsustainable water use can have on our health and our environment and how the Council’s recommendations offer science-driven solutions.
The Capitol Connection webinar series is generously sponsored by Steve and Judy Dobson.