Reply #20: A pipeline to Las Vegas! [View All]

[midnight armadillo]

http://academic.evergreen.edu/g/grossmaz/SUPPESBJ/
The Great Lakes Basin is vast source of water, containing 20% of the world's surface freshwater, and 95% of U.S. surface freshwater. Pipelines have been discussed and proposed to share the water from this massive watershed to both nearby cities and suburbs, and also extending thousands of miles west and southwest. In the 1980's, there were proposals to pipe Great Lakes water to the southwest, but were dismissed due to the costliness, difficult logistics, and strong objections from Great Lake states. As water continues to be overused and depleted in the western and southwestern states through agricultural, industrial, and domestic uses, potential pipeline proposals are not out of the question. The lakes contain enough water to supply millions of people with water.


http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/03/water_is_the_great_lakes_areas.html
Some are worried that the South might soon take matters into its own hands by petitioning the federal government for help.
"I think a large-scale diversion of water from the Great Lakes is fairly likely sooner than later," said Noah Hall, an environmental law professor with Wayne State University in Michigan. "There are a lot of frightening developments out West and in the Southeast and the climate change models don't offer much hope."
David Naftzger, executive director of the Council of Great Lakes Governors, said a water grab is virtually assured.
"Look at a map showing water shortages and population growth and see how they match up," he said. "Now look at us and you can see a concern that, as time moves on, those areas will be looking at the Great Lakes to bring them water -- either through a tanker, pipeline or natural channels."

The Great Lakes Compact prevents pipelines from being built but bottling plants could still be constructed to ship out water in 12 oz bottles. Anyone know more about that Compact - could a state pull out of it?