Michigan is a state known for its abundant aquatic resources.
However, a few irrigation wells only yielded a trickle. One quickly ran out.
He set up equipment to collect rainwater for the plants. After that, a drinking water supply failed. Buist finally spent $350,000 to connect to the pipeline that supplies Grand Rapids.
The Ottawa County grower stated that his greenhouse is 12 miles away from Lake Michigan, which is one of the most important sources of freshwater in the world. “And I didn’t have enough.”
The struggle of his family, which resulted from a geological anomaly and high demand from homeowners, developers, and farmers in a growing section of southwest Michigan is a cautionary tale to a state that relies on its reputation for being a water paradise as a competitive economic advantage when climate change affects hotter and drier areas.
Futureists see Michigan, the Great Lakes, as “climate havens” which will attract people and businesses who are afraid of worsening droughts, wildfires, and other disasters. Not so fast, skeptics say. Images of abundance are surrounded by problems such as pollution, overuse, and deteriorating infrastructure.
David Dempsey is an environmental analyst working for government agencies and activist organizations. He said that outsiders see these five huge lakes and assume that there’s enough water for everyone. “But there are tons of unsolved issues.”
BLUE-ECONOMY BLUE BLUES
The Great Lakes region wants to get rid of its Rust Belt image. Developing a “blue Economy” that leverages the region’s abundant freshwater. Many cities around the lakes are encouraging water-based tourism and other technologies. They also convert urban riverfronts from industrial wastelands into parks and condominiums.
This strategy seems especially well-suited for Michigan. It is surrounded on three sides and four sides by the Great Lakes. There are also 11,000 inland lakes, 76,000 miles of streams and rivers.
Governor. Gretchen Whitmer spoke at a conference last summer.
However, clean and affordable water is not as readily available as you might think.
Flint, Benton Harbor have become symbols of neglect that disproportionately affects poor communities, mostly minorities. A University of Michigan study has shown that water bills are rising in certain areas due to infrastructure degradation.
Wells throughout the state are contaminated by toxic chemicals called PFAS or per- and/or polyfluoroalkyl substances. Algae blooms are caused by industrial waste, farm runoff, and sewage. There are occasional warnings to avoid swimming in lakes and eating too many of the fish.
Michigan is not in the same crisis as the West with its depleting reservoirs and aquifers, but it may soon change.
This is because, despite all the surface water, almost half of Michigan’s residents still get their water from underground. This state has the highest number of household wells in the United States.
The Great Lakes region collectively is thought to have enough groundwater for another Lake Huron. However, it’s not evenly distributed and accessible.
David Lusch, a Michigan State University geography professor emeritus, stated that although the resource is enormous, it is finite. “We all grew up believing that we are the water paradise and there is no shortage.
John Yellich is the director of the Michigan Geological Survey. He said that the subsurface rock formations were left by the melting glaciers, which scoured the landscape to create the Great Lakes. Some hold more water than others. Rain oozes underground from soils rich in sand or gravel to replace water lost for irrigation, industry, or home use.
However, in some places thick clay can prevent surface water from replenishing the aquifers. Heavy pumping can cause levels to drop dangerously and lead to salty remnants from oceans that once covered the continent.
Yellich stated that Michigan is not yet able to map its underground waters in detail. This makes it vulnerable.
He said, “For some parts it’s a crapshoot.”
The danger is evident in at least one location.
SO CLOSE, YET SO FAR
Ottawa is Michigan’s fastest-growing county and Allendale Township is its boomtown. This Grand Rapids community also houses Grand Valley State University. There are many chain stores and restaurants along the main thoroughfare. The Grand River, the longest river in Michigan, runs towards Lake Michigan, past blueberry farms, cornfields, and mixed with newer subdivisions.
Buist battled a balky supply of greenhouse water, while local officials dealt with reports about salty irrigation water from farmers as well as sporadic supplies in residential areas. Paul Sachs, director of strategic impacts for the county, stated that studies showed the clay-topped aquifer had dropped 40 feet in the past 20 years.
Chip Rybicki, fifth-grade teacher, is afflicted by this. His family was the first to move into a new cul de sac in Blendon Township five-years ago.
He lamented that “Nobody ever said, ‘Hey! Do you realize there’s no groundwater?'”
He said that he heard his lawn sprinkler spitting and sputtering as it ran on a summer day in 2019. “We ran out of water.”
He reduced the amount of water he sprayed — “I’d prefer to have an eyesore rather than no water” — but others have not.
Kelly Rice, president, Ottawa parks commission, stated that while people may say “Hey, I don’t water that much”, it is actually a lot.
After replacing water-gorging turf with native shrubs, she has been able to defeat several citations for violation of road vision ordinances and rural “noxious” weed laws.
The county plan foresees dire consequences if things don’t change: droughts, crop failures, and health problems due to excessive sodium in drinking water.
A committee is looking at policies to limit well-dependent subdivisions. This might be a challenge in the Republican-heavy county, where Donald Trump was supported by 60% in 2020.
An Allendale ordinance requires that all new residential developments be connected to city water. Adam Elenbaas, township supervisor, said that residents “will appreciate it” when they turn on their faucets.
ONLY THE BEGINNING
Other parts of Michigan may have similar geology to Ottawa County’s, and there is “the potential for similar issues”, said Jim Milne, a water supervisor at the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.
The demand is increasing, especially in areas where farmers are increasing their irrigation.
In an October report, Michigan regulators and academics stated that groundwater was a “natural resource in danger” and called for greater protection against pollution and overuse.
The Great Lakes can’t bail out inland communities that are short of water. They provide water for nearly 300 state public water systems, but they are mainly located along the coast. Pipeline projects can be very costly and must comply with strict environmental standards.
Experts recommend that people be persuaded to take conservation seriously.
Alan Steinman, a Grand Valley State professor of water quality, said that “marketing the blue economy” is a good idea. “But we don’t want to follow the lead of lumber barons, who claimed they saw a century’s worth of Michigan timber and then wiped it out in ten years.”
