Warmer waters, heavier storms and nutrient pollution are a triple threat to the Great Lakes cities drinking water. The solution of cutting nutrient releases and installing systems to filter runoff should be implemented. The Great Lakes together hold 20% of the world’s surface freshwater that provides drinking water to over 48 million people. The Great Lakes poorest quality was in the 1970’s, and the best quality was in the 1990’s. Since the 1990’s climate change has increased precipitation carrying growing quantities of nutrient runoff into Lake Erie triggering Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB). Infrastructure projects are needed to improve stormwater management and municipal sewer systems. The Cleveland Water Alliance is using smart technologies and improved remote sensing methods to create near-real-time warning systems for HABs to help avert crises.
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