Michigan recently enacted new legislation that provides the Great Lakes with wide-ranging new protections and makes Michigan a leader in the scientific management of our water resources. In order to achieve these goals, the legislation called for a new Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool designed to assess the likelihood of an impact to the state's water resources by a specific large quantity water withdrawal. Today, the WWAT has gone online and is available to the public on a trial basis for testing and comment.

A potential water withdrawal applicant will access the WWAT online and input site-specific parameters, such as location, pumping rate, depth to 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 assessment is based on the potential for harm caused by the withdrawal to fish populations in nearby streams and rivers.

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.

Usage of the WWAT will be optional until July 9, 2009, when it will become fully implemented and its use required of individuals proposing a large quantity water withdrawal from the waters of the state.

The WWAT can be accessed at www.miwwat.org. Questions or comments regarding the WWAT may be made directly from the Web site during trial use, or by contacting Brant Fisher at (517) 241-1415 or Joe Lovato at (517) 241-1383.

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

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised October 1, 2008 by Pat Watson