Pristine Water Resources: A Reality Check is the fourth in a series of essays on the Spirit of Water by the Water Stewards II. Published in the Marquette Monthly December, 2024.
– Chuck Thomas
Often the word “pristine” is used in association with the natural resources of the Upper Peninsula. But what does “pristine” truly signify, and is it an accurate reflection of the current state of our water resources, or are we wistfully remembering how it was long ago? Have we been good stewards of the great gift of the wonderful and abundant fresh water we see around us and rely upon for our life-sustaining drinking water?
Water is revered and considered holy by the many of the world’s great religions. The average adult is about 60% water, making it integral to human existence. Water has unique properties that impact all life. One property is its unusually high heat capacity, which means it requires a significant amount of energy to alter its temperature. This characteristic helps keep the Great Lakes relatively stable – warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Additionally, water is one of the few substances where its solid form (ice) is less dense than its liquid form, which allows ice to float. This floating ice acts as an insulating barrier, protecting aquatic life from the harsh cold above. Intermolecular bonds between water molecules allow for cohesion and adhesion, which is the force behind water’s transportation through the capillaries of plants and trees. The common phrase “water is the universal solvent,” means it can dissolve and transport numerous chemicals, including those necessary for life. All these properties make water uniquely perfect to sustain life on earth.
However, water’s role as a universal solvent also means it can carry harmful substances. Despite the Upper Peninsula’s abundant water resources, we face contamination issues created by our neglect. Pollutants from manufacturing, agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal threaten our water. A recent significant concern is “forever chemicals,” or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These chemicals, used extensively in industrial processes, break down very slowly, leading to long-term environmental contamination. In the Upper Peninsula, locations where PFAS-containing fire retardant foams were used, such as airports and military bases, have been identified as major contamination points. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has detected PFAS in surface water, public water supplies, and private wells throughout the state, including several Upper Peninsula locations.
There are multiple locations in the Upper Peninsula where the groundwater resource has been contaminated by Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from industrial activities, landfill runoff, leaking underground storage tanks, and chemical spills. In all fifteen Upper Peninsula counties there have been public or private drinking water wells contaminated by VOCs.
Naturally occurring contaminants also affect water quality. Groundwater from certain sandstone bedrock formations in the counties along Lake Superior may contain uranium. Radium can be found in water from deeper wells in areas of Alger, Delta, and Menominee Counties. There is an area of Houghton county where naturally occurring fluoride exists in groundwater at concentrations exceeding health advisory levels.
Upper Peninsula surface waters have been impacted by atmospheric deposition of mercury, leading to fish consumption health advisories. And, if not addressed through remediation processes, most contaminated groundwater will eventually flow from the underground aquifer into a nearby surface water.
Water in the Upper Peninsula is plentiful yet finite and precious. Water is water, whether in a snowdrift or sauna steam, in our bodies or in a river; it returns to the earth and sky and is recycled for use again. What can we do as water stewards? We recognize that if everyone pollutes even just a little, it accumulates to a big problem. Conversely, if everyone steps up just a little, it can collectively lead to substantial improvements.
We can make a difference by supporting policies and laws that safeguard water quality. We can join citizen groups that advocate against harmful industrial practices that affect water quality. Engaging in community clean-up events, such as river clean-ups or tree plantings, can help preserve and restore our water resources. Every action, no matter how small, contributes to a larger effort to protect the water resources.
Reflecting on the lyrics of the band Cloud Cult, “All you need to know is you were born of water, you are made of water, you are living water,” we are reminded that water is not just a resource but a fundamental aspect of our existence. As we move forward, let us honor this gift by committing to the sustainable protection of the waters in the Upper Peninsula.
– Chuck Thomas
Chuck is a Professional Geologist and lives in Gladstone, Michigan.
