Interesting Aspects of the
Comprehensive Water Quality Study of
Lake Michigan
W. Q. KEHR, Project Director
Great Lakes - Illinois River Basins Project
and
H. W. POSTON, Regional Program Director
Water Supply and Pollution Control
Region V
U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Public Health Service
Chicago, Illinois
President Kennedy, recognizing the water problem as one of great importance nationally,   said shortly after assuming office,   "Pollution of our
country's rivers and streams has reached alarming proportions.   To
meet all needs we shall have to use and reuse the same water
maintaining quality as well as quantity we must protect the supplies we have."
In this vein. Congress has indicated increasing concern for this most vital
resource. In 1948 Congress passed Public Law 845, the first Federal Water
Pollution Control Act. Twice since then the act has been amended and
strengthened. The latest amendment was signed by the president as Public
Law 87-88, July 20, 1961. Added impetus was given to programs for constructing pollution abatement works, to research in waste problems, and to the
development of comprehensive programs for water quality management of our
national water resources.
In all the world, there is no water resource comparable to the Great
Lakes, containing one-third of the world's fresh water resources. Jointly
shared by the United States and Canada, this vast reservoir of six quadrillion
or 6 x 10*" gals is constantly replenished by nature at such a rate that, even
after tremendous losses from evaporation, seepage and other causes, daily
outflow from the Lakes averages 115, 000 million gals.
In 1900 the Nation used an estimated 40 billion gals of water daily. In
only 60 years the demand increased sixfold to over 250 billion gals a day. By
the year 2000 our estimated needs will rise to a fantastic 900 billion gals a
day. Thus the Great Lakes assume extremely important stature as a national
resource.
Congress recognized the urgent need to protect the water quality of this
great resource when it included the following section in the amended Federal
Water Pollution Control Act: "The Secretary shall conduct research and
technical development work, and make studies, with respect to the quality
of the waters of the Great Lakes, including an analysis of the present and
projected future water quality of the Great Lakes under varying conditions of
waste treatment and disposal, and evaluation of the water quality needs of
those to be served by such waters, an evaluation of municipal, industrial, and
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