Include Great Lakes in infrastructure plans, water alliance urges

WASHINGTON - With a goal of creating sustainable clean water in the Great Lakes, the nonprofit group U.S. Water Alliance is pushing for government reinvestment in the lakes that supply 90 percent of the country's fresh water and play a key role in the region's economy.

But U.S. Water Alliance CEO Radihka Fox said Tuesday that economic reliance on the Great Lakes has been waning as many regional industries struggle and more than a million manufacturing jobs have been lost in the past 17 years.

During a conference call with the media, Fox said the U.S. Water Alliance is meeting with Congress to urge politicians to reinvest in the Great Lakes as part of President Donald Trump's $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill. 

As it stands, Fox said the Great Lakes is not a part of that infrastructure plan.

Eight states — Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and New York — are all bordered by a Great Lake.

"Water is fundamental to the region, but the region has undergone a profound economic restructuring, with the region losing 1.2 million manufacturing jobs since 2000," Fox said. 

Part of the issue for the Great Lakes is infrastructure problems, primarily in communities of lower income families and minorities, Fox said.

As part of Great Lakes Week in Washington, Fox released the alliance's new equitable water report which details nine different recommendations for government to become a better partner to helping the Great Lakes.

The report cites the alliance's goal of improving levels of service to struggling utilities and creating approaches to affordability of water and utilities.

"Utilities really face funding challenges," Fox said. "In the region, EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimates $175 billion is needed to invest into infrastructure in the eight states that surround the Great Lakes."

In addition to providing clean water, the Great Lakes support many businesses, tourism and job creation, Fox said.

In Ottawa County, tourism is a main contributor to sales and bed taxes for hotels, restaurants and shops, helping the county sustain services to year-round residents.

The Lake Erie Shores and Islands marketing group said in 2016 that Lake Erie tourism contributed about $2 billion to Ottawa and Erie counties. 

Fox said the Great Lakes have been in the news in recent years for the wrong reasons, with the Flint, Michigan, water crisis and harmful algal blooms in Toledo leading to questions over clean drinking water.

Other recommendations from the alliance include making upgrades to removing lead from drinking water, preparing emergency plans for future water crises, and supporting governments on water issues.

Fox said the alliance is also recommending an inclusive water workforce, expanded opportunities for small, minority- and women-owned businesses in the water sector, planning and investment, and bringing benefits to disinvested areas.

cshoup@gannett.com

419-334-1035

Twitter: @CraigShoupNH