Chicago River among most threatened waterways in U.S., group says

[marmar]

from the Chicago Tribune:



Chicago River among most threatened waterways in U.S., group says
River's level of pollution called 'unacceptable' by conservation organization

By Michael Hawthorne, Tribune reporter
12:01 a.m. CDT, May 17, 2011


As the Obama administration pushes to clean up the sewage-laden Chicago River, a conservation group Tuesday will declare it one of the nation's most threatened waterways.

Citing the 1.2 billion gallons of partially treated human and industrial waste dumped into the river every day, American Rivers for the first time is adding Chicago-area waterways to its annual list of "America's Most Endangered Rivers." The group says the Chicago River is among 10 nationwide where policymakers are considering action to address significant threats to people and wildlife.

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered Illinois officials to adopt more stringent water-quality standards to make stretches of the Chicago River, Cal-Sag Channel and Little Calumet River safer for recreation. Officials noted the channels increasingly are drawing kayakers, paddlers and boaters who can ingest significant amounts of water while plying the waterways.

The cleanup would require up to $72 million in new germ-killing equipment at two sewage treatment plants and $355 million to complete the Deep Tunnel project, a labyrinth of sewer pipes and reservoirs designed to store waste and storm runoff until it can be treated. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-chicago-river-endangeredlist-20110517,0,351971.story

[madrchsod]

1. they turn the chicago river green on st paddy`s day because

it improves the color....

the entire watershed through the chicago land area needs improvement