How Does a $900 Water Bill Sound?

WAUKESHA - It's no secret that Waukesha's proposed Lake Michigan water diversion plan has garnered opposition among communities along the great lakes.

But when the Detroit Free Press says "The Great Lakes Compact was created to make sure water stays in the Great Lakes to continue to provide economic and recreational opportunities for our region for future generations," you have to wonder.

That's because Detroit has 1 billion to 3 billion gallons of sewage fouling its local rivers and streams each year — and eventually Lake Erie, according to a Toledo Blade report.

But hey, — that’s a huge reduction from the 25 billion-gallon-a-year average dumped in the lake in 1993, the Blade says.

But the Free Press makes another point worth mentioning:

Be Like Brookfield

The Free Press believes Waukesha cannot prove they have "no other alternative" to the Lake Michigan water diversion plan - a requirement of the Compact. All you have to do is look to Waukesha's neighbors to find out why:

"Waukesha can sustainably meet its current and future water needs for its water service supply area by treating existing deep groundwater wells for radium and other contaminants. In fact, their neighboring communities of Brookfield and Pewaukee are doing that today along with scores of other communities around the country."

Triple Utility Bills

After taking aim at Waukesha's proposal, they take aim somewhere closer to home: your pocketbook.

"Waukesha Water Utility’s own estimates project a $334-million cost for its proposed Great Lakes diversion, which would increase residential utility bills from around $260 per year to almost $900 per year by 2024."

Next Steps

The fate of Waukesha's plan rests at the Great Lakes Governors meeting on June 21 and 22 in Chicago.

As local opposition holds their nose against Waukesha's plan, it's a safe bet that cities across the U.S. are holding their breath to see what happens at this consequential meeting.