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"Water? That’s not a problem. We live on the Great Lakes." Despite the region’s seemingly unlimited availability of water highly visible Lake Michigan, rivers and streams, the Midwest faces severe water problems. There is flooding, deteriorating quality of its streams and rivers, depletion of underground water resources, and potential drinking water shortages—as well as the need for land to accommodate new housing and economic development. This ideas@work deals with the dual challenges of maintaining northeastern Illinois’ water quality and quantity, and offers recommendations for action by residents, businesses and governments.