Abundant and high quality water resources play an essential role in sustaining economic prosperity and environmental health in our seven-county region. While Lake Michigan and groundwater aquifers currently provide clean water, their capacity to serve the region's needs is not limitless. In addition, many of the region's waterways have been degraded by development practices that have disrupted the natural water cycle.
As the Chicago region grows, it is critical that water and natural resources are conserved and used efficiently. CMAP and its partners are involved in the following areas of water resource planning.