When the wells run dry

[GLF]

Illinois' thirst for underground water is increasing, and some officials are beginning to worry that the supply won't be able to meet the demand in years to come.

Illinois needs 20 billion gallons of water a day to quench its thirst, according to a statewide water study released in January. That water powers industry, irrigates farm fields and flows through homes and businesses.

Much of the water, 34 percent, comes from Lake Michigan. An additional 41 percent comes from rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs. Twenty-five percent is drawn from underground aquifers, according to the study, "Troubled Waters: Meeting Future Water Needs in Illinois."

The U.S. Supreme Court has restricted the use of Lake Michigan water to protect the resource for years to come. That means more reliance on wells, especially in the Will County area, where only a few eastern communities were able to tap into Lake Michigan water.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/top/4_1_JO25_WATER_S10625.htm