With the exception of the polar ice caps, the Great Lakes system is the largest source of freshwater in the world. Lake Michigan is the largest public drinking water supply in Illinois, serving nearly 6.6 million people who use close to 1 billion gal of water each day.
Contamination and invasive species are threatening the water quality of the Great Lakes, putting local businesses and public health at risk. Globally, the United Nations estimates that 783 million people worldwide still do not have access to improved drinking water, and 2.5 billion people currently lack access to sanitation.
Evanston, Ill.-based Rotary, an international humanitarian service organization, is hosting a free public panel discussion to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation, protecting our Great Lakes and the ways to address the global water crisis. Industry experts on the panel will include Cameron Davis: senior adviser to the administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Ian Hughes, brewery manager, Goose Island Beer Co.; Debra Shore, commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago; and Andy Stuart, Rotary Club of Toledo
The panel, titled "Tap Into Lake Michigan: A Local Perspective on the Global Water Crisis," will be held Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Rotary Intl. at One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave. in Evanston. A reception beginning at 5 p.m. will be sponsored by Goose Island; the panel discussion starts at 6:30 p.m.
Source: Rotary Intl.
