A new tool is going online tomorrow that will aid in providing the Great Lakes with wide-ranging new protections and making Michigan a leader in the scientific management of our water resources.  The new Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool (WWAT), required under legislation passed in 2008, is designed to assess the likelihood of an impact to the state's water resources by a specific large quantity water withdrawal.

The WWAT initially went online in beta form in October, 2008, but beginning tomorrow will be fully implemented and required of individuals proposing a large quantity water withdrawal of greater than 100,000 gallons per day from the waters of the state.

"This is a landmark step in the efforts to address the impacts not only to the quality of our waters, but to the quantity of our waters," said Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Director Steven E. Chester.  "This tool will give quick answers as to whether a withdrawal could result in an adverse impact to our water resources and allow us to take a closer look at any potential impacts as needed."

Under the legislation passed last year, a potential water withdrawal applicant will access the WWAT online and input site-specific parameters, such as location, pumping rate, depth of water, and other pertinent information.  The WWAT will provide a prompt answer to the query, and instruct the applicant on the next steps to be taken before beginning a large quantity water withdrawal.  The goal of the program is to afford wide-ranging protections for Michigan's water resources that minimize adverse impacts but allow for reasonable, sustainable uses of the water of the Great Lakes, inland lakes, streams, rivers, and groundwater. 

Development of the WWAT resulted from a collaborative effort between the United States Geological Survey, Michigan State University, and the Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality and Natural Resources.  The tool is available online at http://www.miwwat.org.

Questions regarding large quantity withdrawals or water use requirements can be directed to Joe Lovato, Chief of the DEQ's Water Withdrawal and Contamination Investigation Unit, at (517) 241-1383 or LovatoJ@michigan.gov.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

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