This edition of News to Us will let you know how your legislators are doing on environmental issues, introduce a Catch-22 for water conservation, and share some research findings on the impacts of underwater pipeline failures. A recent tour of a preserve in Stockbridge got HRWC and watershed residents out to enjoy what makes our watershed special. Finally, Michigan Radio has done an excellent series on arsenic in groundwater that may be of particular interest to those of us who draw our drinking water from private wells.
Michigan League of Conservation Voters give local legislators high marks Several local legislators scored very well on the annual Environmental Scorecard completed by MLCV recently. In general, however, the report finds the State moving in the wrong direction on environmental issues that impact our land, water and air. This article shares local legislators opinions on where the State of Michigan is at on important issues such as fracking, alternative energy and biodiversity protection. A link to MLCV’s full Scorecard report is available at the end of the article. Check out how your legislators are doing.
Huron River Watershed Council naturalists visit the Beckwith Preserve Earlier this month, HRWC’s Watershed Ecologist, Kris Olsson, led a walk at the Beckwith Preserve near downtown Stockbridge. This 30 acre property was donated to Legacy Land Conservancy and has frontage on Portage Creek, a lovely tributary to the Huron River. Private land donations like this play an important role in preserving lands that keep our forests, air and water in good condition.
Drought-Plagued Regions Struggle to Conserve Water and Make Money As infrastructure ages and water availability fluctuates, water utilities struggle with a catch-22. Utilities have operating expenses they need to recoup from consumers and demand they need to meet. During periods of lower water availability (peak use time, drought) encouraging water conservation is a strategy for prolonging supply and minimizing the burden on water resources. However, if they are successful and customers use less, less revenue is generated or rates may need to be raised. This article explores this issue in depth and discusses some innovative ways to promote water conservation while keeping the business of drinking water production viable.
Study: Pipeline break would devastate Great Lakes We have seen a lot of news lately about oil and gas development, pipelines, waste products from fuel production, and spills in our rivers and lakes. One issue getting a lot of attention is an aging pipeline that transports oil under water in the Straights of Mackinac. This article shares the outcomes of a recently released study on the impacts of a pipeline failure. HRWC is urging the US Department of Transportation to evaluate the risks of ruptures and leaks in pipelines crossing Michigan’s rivers, streams and lakes.
Arsenic in Michigan’s Groundwater. Michigan Radio has done a series of pieces over the past two weeks chronicling the issue of elevated arsenic in Michigan’s groundwater. The counties in the Huron River watershed do have occurrences of elevated arsenic. This only affects people on private wells as city water is required to remove arsenic from water during treatment. There are not elevated arsenic levels in all wells and there are treatment options for private wells. If you are in a county that has registered elevated levels in groundwater, consider having your well tested. Here are links to the series:
- This mom didn’t know why her family was sick until she checked their water
- Here’s how to test and treat your drinking water well for arsenic
- Michigan’s arsenic problem is among the worst in the nation. Here’s why that matters.
- There’s arsenic in Michigan’s well water, but not a lot of people are talking about it
- These places in Michigan are still working on getting arsenic out of their drinking water
- One congressman has kept us in the dark about the health risks of arsenic