Environment Archives - Chicago Reader

A beach with a sand dune in the foreground and wavy water in the background.

When the water wars come

by S. Nicole Lane November 22, 2023November 27, 2023

With the world’s sixth-largest freshwater lake at our fingertips, Chicago’s cup runneth over with bragging rights. Climate migration is predicted for the Second City, with hordes of people from out west tapping into our water privilege: our Great, and fragile, Lake. But currently, in Middle America, there’s a city running out of water. No, it’s […]

a mother and daughter in an apartment kitchen pour water into glasses using a filtered water dispenser

News & Politics

Filters are not just for Instagram

by Mackenzie Tatananni June 10, 2023June 10, 2023

Chicagoans inspired to reduce possible contamination in their home drinking water can find NSF-certified filters at chain stores like Home Depot, Target, Lowes, or Amazon, as well as local home goods and hardware stores. Consumers may find it easiest to use faucet mounts and pitchers, which are listed below. Other options, such as under-sink water […]

a sea gull stands next to an outdoor faucet

News & Politics

Is there lead in there?

by Mackenzie Tatananni June 8, 2023June 10, 2023

Chicago has long been known to have an issue with lead contamination, though many residents may be unaware. In 2011 and 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Illinois conducted a study on field sampling protocols for lead in drinking water. The agency concluded that existing sampling protocols underestimated lead corrosion and levels in drinking […]