A buoy network managed by the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) across the Great Lakes collects information on wave height, approximate wind speed and direction, and water temperature. Once collected, this data not only allows for safe tourism, recreation, and shipping but also warns researchers about impacts to water quality, including toxic algal blooms that pose serious health threats to humans, pets, and wildlife. However, despite the health, safety, and environmental benefits these buoys provide, $1.6 billion in budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration could bring funding for GLOS to a halt.

In a new report, titled Safe for Swimming?, researchers found that 71% of Great Lakes beaches tested positive for fecal indicator bacteria like E. coli and Enterococcus at least one day last year. The report, published in July, was produced by Environment America Research and Policy Center, the 501(c)(3) research arm of Environment America.

The Trump Administration released more details about how its proposed budget would undermine efforts by local, state, and Tribal governments to protect the drinking water, public health, and quality of life for more than 30 million people in the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Progress to restore the Great Lakes and protect the drinking water for more than 40 million people would be severely undermined by the Trump Administration’s proposed budget, calling for drastic cuts to core environmental and clean water programs.

In early March, the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition brought over 80 advocates from across the Great Lakes region to Washington, D.C. for Great Lakes Day—an annual event focused on the restoration and protection of the Great Lakes. The event gathered passionate environmental activists, local leaders, and concerned citizens who are committed to ensuring clean water and a sustainable future for the Great Lakes.

After nearly 40 years, the Rochester Embayment Area of Concern—a 35-square-mile portion of Lake Ontario near Rochester, New York—has shed its status as one of the most environmentally degraded places in the Great Lakes region. Learn more about this achievement happened in this success story.

Great Lakes supporters are in Washington, D.C., with the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, to urge members of Congress to continue their support for federal investments to protect the drinking water, public health, jobs, and quality of life for the millions of people in the eight-state region.

The EPA today announced new clean water protections to prevent toxic PFAS chemicals from contaminating public drinking water supplies and threating the health of people and communities.