Letter: Lawmakers need to worry about water

Projections say we will run out of fresh water by 2030. As a fresh water resource, Lake Michigan, could be a gold mine.

However, planning for events that are not immediate, such as putting in infrastructure and luring water-related industry, is hard to rally support for.

"In the short term, there are four potential ways of improving the situation, … One lies in spending large sums on systematic improvements to storage and delivery, to the infrastructure behind water supplies. Underground reservoirs have potential. So do simple things like replacing leaking pipes, lining earth-bottomed canals and irrigating plants at their roots with just the right amount of water, among many others." from The Independent (UK), 5/7/2015.

An issue that is both long and short term is the need for our legislators, especially those from Illinois in the House of Representatives, to recognize water as a resource that is shrinking due to more consumption and climate change and take action now to lessen consequences.

Energy and water funding is coming up in the House within the next few weeks. Now is the time to put our funds where they can save us from spending ten times or more in future costs, if nothing is done.

Legislators, show us taxpayers you are sincere about saving money and work together on this issue.

Taxpayers, let's call our representatives and let them know we expect them to support any efforts in the House to recognize the need for water infrastructure and take action, not grapple in gridlock.

Mary Hansen

Northbrook