Everything we put on the land can end up in Lake Michigan or the Chicago River watersheds. Lake Michigan is part of the Great Lakes, which is the largest freshwater ecosystem on the planet. The Great Lakes provides 18% of the world’s supply of fresh surface water and 90% of the U.S. supply, and Lake Michigan provides drinking water for over ten million people (IL EPA). As residents of the Great Lakes and Chicago River watersheds, we should all be stewards of these resources.
Here are some things you can do to help:
1. Reduce pesticide use in your yard. More information on how to do that is here.
2. Do not flush unneeded medications. A study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey found measurable amounts of one or more medications in 80% of the water samples drawn from a network of streams in thirty states. You can safely dispose of unneeded medication at many police stations and pharmacies. Here is a list of collection sites in Lake County.
2. Do not flush unneeded medications. A study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey found measurable amounts of one or more medications in 80% of the water samples drawn from a network of streams in thirty states. You can safely dispose of unneeded medication at many police stations and pharmacies. Here is a list of collection sites in Lake County.
3. Stop using toxic driveway sealants, especially those containing coal tar. See related post here.
