The Freshwater Lab
@thefreshwaterlab.bsky.social
The Freshwater Lab at the University of Illinois #Chicago is an initiative that raises awareness about water issues in the #GreatLakes and empowers people to claim and protect the most vital public asset. #NoMoreSingleUseWater
linktr.ee/uicfreshwaterlab
linktr.ee/uicfreshwaterlab
Over the weekend, 500 people swam in the Chicago River for the first open water race through the river in nearly 100 years. The Freshwater Lab's founder and director, Rachel Havrelock, helps us understand how our waters are connected.
www.wbez.org/in-the-loop-...
www.wbez.org/in-the-loop-...
500 people to take on the Chicago River Swim after nearly 100 years
History is in the making as the city gears up for the first open water river swim since the 1920s.
www.wbez.org
September 23, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Over the weekend, 500 people swam in the Chicago River for the first open water race through the river in nearly 100 years. The Freshwater Lab's founder and director, Rachel Havrelock, helps us understand how our waters are connected.
www.wbez.org/in-the-loop-...
www.wbez.org/in-the-loop-...
Reposted by The Freshwater Lab
Park No. 571 occupies a site on the Chicago River that once housed a Peoples Gas plant. With Peoples Gas set to remediate its last parcel along the river, the park could be in line for a dramatic expansion.
via Mack Liederman / @blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/16/b...
via Mack Liederman / @blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/16/b...
September 16, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Park No. 571 occupies a site on the Chicago River that once housed a Peoples Gas plant. With Peoples Gas set to remediate its last parcel along the river, the park could be in line for a dramatic expansion.
via Mack Liederman / @blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/16/b...
via Mack Liederman / @blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/16/b...
Reposted by The Freshwater Lab
Residents and activists held a meeting calling for a community benefits agreement that would help address concerns such as environmental protections and job creation.
trib.al/Lvfo8Ri
trib.al/Lvfo8Ri
South Chicago residents want protections ahead of Chicago's quantum park construction
Residents and activists held a meeting calling for a community benefits agreement that would help address concerns such as environmental protections and job creation.
trib.al
September 10, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Residents and activists held a meeting calling for a community benefits agreement that would help address concerns such as environmental protections and job creation.
trib.al/Lvfo8Ri
trib.al/Lvfo8Ri
"About 97% of data center operators obtain water from municipal supplies. This means that, like regular citizens, these companies are considered customers and are not required to publicly disclose their usage or report it to a regulatory body." #GreatLakes #AI #Chicago #NoMoreSIngleUseWater
A recent report warns the Great Lakes region is not prepared for the unprecedented, growing demand from data centers and other water-heavy users.
Surging number of data centers around the Great Lakes could lead to water shortages, report says
The region is not prepared for the unprecedented demand from data centers and other big users like agriculture.
trib.al
September 10, 2025 at 3:21 PM
"About 97% of data center operators obtain water from municipal supplies. This means that, like regular citizens, these companies are considered customers and are not required to publicly disclose their usage or report it to a regulatory body." #GreatLakes #AI #Chicago #NoMoreSIngleUseWater
"Rachel Havrelock, a #UIC professor who directs research on water resources and equity, said exposure to lead intensifies health risks for low-income and minority communities already living near other hazards like industrial air pollution."
Chicago has the highest number of lead water service lines in the nation. WBEZ, Grist and Inside Climate News analyzed city data that allows Chicago’s residents to see where the problem is most acute — and how it intersects with poverty and race. trib.al/n4TkzEu
Where are Chicago’s lead pipes?
Lead water service lines are all over the city. But majority Black and Latino neighborhoods bear the biggest burden, our analysis finds.
trib.al
September 3, 2025 at 4:46 PM
"Rachel Havrelock, a #UIC professor who directs research on water resources and equity, said exposure to lead intensifies health risks for low-income and minority communities already living near other hazards like industrial air pollution."
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill permitting Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District to sell recycled water and receive wastewater for treatment from private entities within a 50-mile radius, effective immediately. www.25newsnow.com/2025/08/20/n...
New Illinois law lets Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District sell treated wastewater
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law that allows the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District to help better protect the water supply and expand its economic reach.
www.25newsnow.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill permitting Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District to sell recycled water and receive wastewater for treatment from private entities within a 50-mile radius, effective immediately. www.25newsnow.com/2025/08/20/n...
"We've worked with groups like Alliance for the Great Lakes and Dr. Rachel Haverlock at #UIC on #water reuse. (...) These data centers shouldn't be coming here and using our clean, fresh drinking water." - Jen Walling, The Illinois Environmental #NoMoreSingleUseWater www.wbez.org/reset-with-s...
Is artificial intelligence guzzling your drinking water?
Illinois is home to more than 220 data centers, but each one needs a lot of water to operate and cool its systems.
www.wbez.org
August 27, 2025 at 2:20 PM
"We've worked with groups like Alliance for the Great Lakes and Dr. Rachel Haverlock at #UIC on #water reuse. (...) These data centers shouldn't be coming here and using our clean, fresh drinking water." - Jen Walling, The Illinois Environmental #NoMoreSingleUseWater www.wbez.org/reset-with-s...
Congrats to @mwrdgc.bsky.social Board of Commissioners on the resolution supporting water reuse across Cook County! It was truly a pleasure for The Freshwater Lab and the #UIC Water Reuse Team to collaborate on the resolution and on the research. www.freshwaterlab.org/from-waste-t....
August 26, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Congrats to @mwrdgc.bsky.social Board of Commissioners on the resolution supporting water reuse across Cook County! It was truly a pleasure for The Freshwater Lab and the #UIC Water Reuse Team to collaborate on the resolution and on the research. www.freshwaterlab.org/from-waste-t....
Increasingly, residents, legislators and freshwater advocacy groups are calling for municipalities to more carefully consider where the #water that supplies these data centers will come from and how it will be managed. #NoMoreSingleUseWater #AI #GreatLakes insideclimatenews.org/news/1606202...
As Data Centers Proliferate Across Illinois, Communities Grapple with How to Supply the Necessary Water - Inside Climate News
Computing facilities require lots of water to operate, putting the burden of allocating resources on municipalities.
insideclimatenews.org
August 25, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Increasingly, residents, legislators and freshwater advocacy groups are calling for municipalities to more carefully consider where the #water that supplies these data centers will come from and how it will be managed. #NoMoreSingleUseWater #AI #GreatLakes insideclimatenews.org/news/1606202...
Great Lakes state officials have touted the region’s “blue economy,” and lured data centers to locate in the region, offering tax breaks and other incentives on top of the promise of all the water these centers need to cool their energy-intensive computing equipment. news.wttw.com/2025/08/20/m...
Mega Data Centers Could Drain Water Supplies in Great Lakes Region if Protections Aren’t Put in Place: Report
A new report explores how unprecedented levels of consumption by heavy water users — namely “hyperscale” data centers — could lead to conflicts over and even shortages of water, even in the Great Lakes.
news.wttw.com
August 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Great Lakes state officials have touted the region’s “blue economy,” and lured data centers to locate in the region, offering tax breaks and other incentives on top of the promise of all the water these centers need to cool their energy-intensive computing equipment. news.wttw.com/2025/08/20/m...
Who needs all that water when you’ve got a virtual ’soulmate’? capitolfax.com/2025/08/21/w...
Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Who needs all that water when you’ve got a virtual ’soulmate’? (Updated)CapitolFax.com
capitolfax.com
August 22, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Who needs all that water when you’ve got a virtual ’soulmate’? capitolfax.com/2025/08/21/w...
Reposted by The Freshwater Lab
Not just electricity — water supplies will be taxed by data centers minnesotareformer.com/2025/08/20/n...
Not just electricity — water supplies will be taxed by data centers • Minnesota Reformer
Proposed mines, factories and data centers threaten to deplete the underground aquifers that supply up to 40% of the Great Lakes’ volume — and drinking water reserves for nearly three-quarters of Minn...
minnesotareformer.com
August 20, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Not just electricity — water supplies will be taxed by data centers minnesotareformer.com/2025/08/20/n...
"Without a consistent and transparent way to track #water consumption, the public and gov officials will make decisions without complete information on how these massive companies’ hot and thirsty buildings will affect their communities and their environments." planetdetroit.org/2025/08/grea...
Data centers are coming to the Great Lakes — and they could drain local water supplies
AI-driven data centers are using more water, competing with local needs in communities across the Great Lakes and country.
planetdetroit.org
August 20, 2025 at 2:25 PM
"Without a consistent and transparent way to track #water consumption, the public and gov officials will make decisions without complete information on how these massive companies’ hot and thirsty buildings will affect their communities and their environments." planetdetroit.org/2025/08/grea...
Reposted by The Freshwater Lab
The new Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park won't just house breakthroughs in computing speed. It'll do that as a thoughtful steward of Lake Michigan. 🌅
UIC's @thefreshwaterlab.bsky.social developed a plan that uses advanced treatment techniques for the goal of creating zero water waste. 💧
UIC's @thefreshwaterlab.bsky.social developed a plan that uses advanced treatment techniques for the goal of creating zero water waste. 💧
Chicago’s “Quantum Prairie” Promises New Era of Great Lakes Technology and Water Use
Explore the quantum shift in Chicago’s economy as it transforms the former U.S. Steel South Works site into a sustainable future.
www.circleofblue.org
August 13, 2025 at 5:56 PM
The new Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park won't just house breakthroughs in computing speed. It'll do that as a thoughtful steward of Lake Michigan. 🌅
UIC's @thefreshwaterlab.bsky.social developed a plan that uses advanced treatment techniques for the goal of creating zero water waste. 💧
UIC's @thefreshwaterlab.bsky.social developed a plan that uses advanced treatment techniques for the goal of creating zero water waste. 💧
Help redefine the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal into a waterway that reflects our values and vision
www.boldpastbrightfuture.org
Ayuda a redefinir el Canal Sanitario y de Navegación de Chicago en una vía fluvial que refleje nuestros valores y visión www.boldpastbrightfuture.org
#TheBackwardRiver
www.boldpastbrightfuture.org
Ayuda a redefinir el Canal Sanitario y de Navegación de Chicago en una vía fluvial que refleje nuestros valores y visión www.boldpastbrightfuture.org
#TheBackwardRiver
August 6, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Help redefine the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal into a waterway that reflects our values and vision
www.boldpastbrightfuture.org
Ayuda a redefinir el Canal Sanitario y de Navegación de Chicago en una vía fluvial que refleje nuestros valores y visión www.boldpastbrightfuture.org
#TheBackwardRiver
www.boldpastbrightfuture.org
Ayuda a redefinir el Canal Sanitario y de Navegación de Chicago en una vía fluvial que refleje nuestros valores y visión www.boldpastbrightfuture.org
#TheBackwardRiver
“I am very invested in implementing water reuse in the state of Illinois, and we know that it’s easier to build water reuse systems with new projects than it is for already established projects,” Rachel Havrelock said. “And [IQMP] is going to be a big project.” #NoMoreSingleUseWater
August 5, 2025 at 9:43 PM
“I am very invested in implementing water reuse in the state of Illinois, and we know that it’s easier to build water reuse systems with new projects than it is for already established projects,” Rachel Havrelock said. “And [IQMP] is going to be a big project.” #NoMoreSingleUseWater
One study estimates that AI-driven data centers could consume 1.7 trillion gallons of water globally by 2027. #NoMoreSingleUseWater #AI #RecycledWaterForAI #RecycledWaterForIndustry www.bbc.com/news/article...
'I can't drink the water' - life next to a US data centre
Residents in rural Georgia say the data centre next door has disrupted their water supply.
www.bbc.com
July 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM
One study estimates that AI-driven data centers could consume 1.7 trillion gallons of water globally by 2027. #NoMoreSingleUseWater #AI #RecycledWaterForAI #RecycledWaterForIndustry www.bbc.com/news/article...
The use of #water for #data center cooling often requires pulling water from nearby sources-depleting local water sources. Publicly available data for data center water usage is limited, and there is often a lack of monitoring on site. #AI #NoMoreSingleUseWater climatejusticealliance.org/ai/
What is AI and why do you keep hearing about it? And what are data centers? How are they connected? - Climate Justice Alliance
Are your chats with AI fueling the climate crisis? Are your chats with Artificial Intelligence fueling the Climate Crisis?
climatejusticealliance.org
July 10, 2025 at 4:25 PM
The use of #water for #data center cooling often requires pulling water from nearby sources-depleting local water sources. Publicly available data for data center water usage is limited, and there is often a lack of monitoring on site. #AI #NoMoreSingleUseWater climatejusticealliance.org/ai/
Freshwater Lab member Citlalli Trujillo sheds light on the impending demolition of the Damen Silos. #Pilsen #McKinleyPark #Chicago insideclimatenews.org/news/0307202...
These Century-Old Chicago Silos Are Slated for Demolition. Neighbors Want to Save Them - Inside Climate News
Frustration with the silos’ owner boiled over during a public meeting. It’s not clear yet how the riverfront site would be used.
insideclimatenews.org
July 9, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Freshwater Lab member Citlalli Trujillo sheds light on the impending demolition of the Damen Silos. #Pilsen #McKinleyPark #Chicago insideclimatenews.org/news/0307202...
Data centers require a lot of electricity, which is driving rates up around the country and grabbing headlines. What gets less attention is how much water they need. #NoMoreSingleUseWater #BlueEconomy #WaterBelt #RecycledWaterForAI #RecycledWaterForIndustry insideclimatenews.org/news/1606202...
As Data Centers Proliferate Across Illinois, Communities Grapple with How to Supply the Necessary Water - Inside Climate News
Computing facilities require lots of water to operate, putting the burden of allocating resources on municipalities.
insideclimatenews.org
July 8, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Data centers require a lot of electricity, which is driving rates up around the country and grabbing headlines. What gets less attention is how much water they need. #NoMoreSingleUseWater #BlueEconomy #WaterBelt #RecycledWaterForAI #RecycledWaterForIndustry insideclimatenews.org/news/1606202...
Legislative update: Illinois House Bill 2391, which allows treated wastewater from publicly owned treatment works to be used for both irrigation and industrial applications, was passed! We're grateful for all the advocates, including our own Rachel Havrelock, & sponsors. www.ilga.gov/Legislation/...
Official government website of the Illinois General Assembly
Welcome to the Official government website of the Illinois General Assembly
www.ilga.gov
July 2, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Legislative update: Illinois House Bill 2391, which allows treated wastewater from publicly owned treatment works to be used for both irrigation and industrial applications, was passed! We're grateful for all the advocates, including our own Rachel Havrelock, & sponsors. www.ilga.gov/Legislation/...
“The property may be privately owned but the water remains under the public trust,” said Rachel Havrelock, director of The Freshwater Lab at the University of Illinois Chicago.
As the Damen Silos demolition moves forward, Southwest Siders are asking the city to consider preservation. blockclubchi.co/3GntkyI
July 1, 2025 at 3:53 PM
“The property may be privately owned but the water remains under the public trust,” said Rachel Havrelock, director of The Freshwater Lab at the University of Illinois Chicago.
As part of a coalition of community leaders, university scientists and concerned citizens who have joined together to answer a question that has haunted this South Side neighborhood for decades: Why is it that Chatham experiences some of the worst basement flooding in the city?
Why is it that Chatham experiences some of the worst basement flooding in the city?
Scientists join the fight against basement flooding in Chatham: ‘The cavalry is coming’
The South Side is a flooding hot spot without being a rain hot spot, indicating other forces are at work.
www.chicagotribune.com
May 28, 2025 at 2:35 PM
As part of a coalition of community leaders, university scientists and concerned citizens who have joined together to answer a question that has haunted this South Side neighborhood for decades: Why is it that Chatham experiences some of the worst basement flooding in the city?
Researchers have found that ingesting plastics can have detrimental effects on our cognitive abilities, fertility and overall cardiovascular health. And there’s no end in sight, with the projected exponential growth of plastic production tripling by 2050. depauliaonline.com/77066/news/t...
Curbing microplastics in Lake Michigan
Every year, 11.6 million pounds of plastic trash makes its way into Lake Michigan, Chicago’s largest source of drinking water.
depauliaonline.com
May 27, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Researchers have found that ingesting plastics can have detrimental effects on our cognitive abilities, fertility and overall cardiovascular health. And there’s no end in sight, with the projected exponential growth of plastic production tripling by 2050. depauliaonline.com/77066/news/t...
Line 5, owned by Calgary-based Enbridge, transports over 20 million gallons of crude oil and natural gas liquids each day. Although it spans northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, the pipeline carries Canadian oil back into Canada. 98% of the oil is consumed in Canada.
Water is sacred and central to the way of life of Indigenous tribes in the Great Lakes region. That is why they have been fighting for over a decade to remove the Line 5 pipeline.
Tribes fear consequences for Great Lakes as Trump administration fast-tracks Line 5 pipeline
Aging infrastructure poses a risk to the drinking water of tens of millions, activists and Indigenous communities say.
www.chicagotribune.com
May 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Line 5, owned by Calgary-based Enbridge, transports over 20 million gallons of crude oil and natural gas liquids each day. Although it spans northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, the pipeline carries Canadian oil back into Canada. 98% of the oil is consumed in Canada.