"Waukesha's only option:" Plan to divert Lake Michigan water okayed by Great Lakes states

CHICAGO -- A council representing the eight Great Lakes states voted on Tuesday, June 21st to allow Waukesha unprecedented access to Lake Michigan as its drinking water source. It's a first step that comes with some huge relief for Waukesha officials.

The city of 70,000 west of Milwaukee won unanimous approval Tuesday from eight states that are members of a regional compact designed to prevent water raids from afar.

"Obviously, I'm very, very happy. This is something the City of Waukesha has worked on for a very, very long time," said Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly.

Waukesha is only 17 miles from Lake Michigan but lies just outside the Great Lakes basin. It needed unanimous approval from the compact states to draw water from the lake. Reilly said the application process began six years ago. Waukesha is only eligible for Great Lakes water because Waukesha County straddles the Great Lakes basin.

"This was Waukesha's only option in order to have a safe and sustainable source of water for its residents," Reilly said.

Waukesha's current water supply -- deep underground wells -- is contaminated with radium.

The Great Lakes Compact Council agrees with Waukesha but environmental groups like the Alliance of the Great Lakes see it differently.

"All along, we have thought Waukesha does have a reasonable alternative in terms of the ability to treat for radium. You can take radium out of drinking water," said Molly Flanagan with the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

There are also concerns about the treated wastewater passing through the Root River on its way back to the lake. Officials with the Wisconsin DNR say there is no need to worry.

"I don't think anyone will be able to argue this wasn't gone through with fine-tooth combs and then again, and again, and again," said Cathy Stepp, Wisconsin DNR secretary.

Critics say they are pleased Minnesota and Michigan made an amendment emphasizing that other states have the authority to audit and enforce the compact in Waukesha.

"We have some strong concerns about Wisconsin’s willingness and ability to enforce environmental laws," said Ezra Meyer with Clean Wisconsin.

Another amendment reduces the amount of water Waukesha can take. Waukesha had originally requested the ability to draw an annual average of 10.1 million gallons per day. The council shrunk the area eligible for Lake Michigan water. As a result, Waukesha can now draw an annual average of 8.2 million gallons per day.

"The process is far from over," Meyer said,  "So the work for Wisconsin DNR, for Waukesha, and for folks like us, doesn't end today."

Mayor Reilly says Waukesha must now design a $207 million pipeline which will bring water in from Lake Michigan and discharge wastewater into the Root River. After that, Stepp says the project will require both state and federal permits.

"We will make sure bureaucracy is not in the way," Stepp said, "We’ll make sure to do our jobs and do them efficiently."

Flanagan says she is not worried the approval will open up the flood gates for other cities since they will see what Waukesha had to go through.

CLICK HERE to read the City of Waukesha Diversion Application

Mayor Reilly thanked the Great Lakes governors and their representatives -- and issued the following statement immediately following the approval:

The Alliance for the Great Lakes and the National Wildlife Federation issued the following joint statement:

Gov. Scott Walker issued the following statement:

Rep. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) issued the following statement:

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett issued this statement: