Foxconn Applies for Water Diversion from Lake Michigan

Foxconn will use up to 7 million gallons of water per day from Lake Michigan following an application by the city of Racine to divert water on behalf of the village of Mount Pleasant.

The South Korean technology giant plans to build a $10 billion LED screen manufacturing facility in Racine County with the help of a $4 billion incentive package from the state of Wisconsin.

Foxconn, representative image, source: Wikimedia Commons

Racine submitted the straddling community water diversion application today to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on behalf of the village of Mount Pleasant , a long-time customer of the City of Racine’s Water Utility, according to a news release from Racine County.

The application seeks the diversion of up to 7 million gallons of Lake Michigan water per day.

The application is to extend water service to the portion of Mount Pleasant that is located in the Mississippi River basin, including the future site of the manufacturing facility being constructed by Foxconn Technology Group. The DNR has review authority and will offer opportunities for public comment.

“While Foxconn will be a user of the water, this application will benefit the entire region,” Jenny Trick, executive director of Racine County Economic Development Corporation and spokesperson for the local Foxconn project team was quoted as saying in a news release. “If approved, the diversion will support broader I-94 corridor development, creating even more Racine County jobs, patrons and residents, while protecting our area’s greatest natural resource.”

For years, Mount Pleasant has sought to develop its southwest corner, including obtaining Great Lakes water as a clean, abundant water supply. If approved, the diversion of Great Lakes water within this area will provide a safe drinking water supply to an approximately 2.3 square mile area of Mount Pleasant, including for the anticipated thousands of Wisconsin workers who would be employed by companies located within the area.

“Expanding water access has been of longstanding interest to the Village of Mount Pleasant,” said Claude Lois, Project Director for the Village of Mount Pleasant. “If this application is approved, it will help us better serve current and future residents, workers and visitors to our Village.”

The application will seek the diversion of up to 7 million gallons per day. In 2016, Racine pumped just under an average of 17 million gallons per day (MGD) – less than a third of its authorized capacity and about half its 1995 usage levels, as Racine’s water use has decreased due to reduced industrial and residential demand. As a result, Racine  can meet the projected diversion while remaining well within its existing approved capacity.

Read full article: WKOW

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Taxonomy

• Resource Management
• Business Strategy
• Water Resources
• Lake Management
• Consumption