Watershed representative speaks to East Side group

The Eastside Business Association meeting Sept. 21 heard from Sue Lossing, Flint River Water Coalition representative. She explained why keeping our rivers and streams clean is important and some of the threats to clean water.

"Don't flush those unused medications and prescriptions down the toilet," Lossing said. "Dispose of them property at the household hazardous waste collection at the Flint Water Center, 3310 E. Court St., Oct. 8."

Lossing provided further information on the fish advisories with an eat safe fish guide published by the state of Michigan. She also warned of a potential danger to the environment created by Asian carp when the flooded Mississippi carried carp from inland fish farms into the nations waterways. Asian carp have been found in the Illinois River, which connects the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan. Due to their large size and rapid rate of reproduction, these fish could pose a significant risk to all Great Lakes ecosystems, Lossing explained.

A discussion about building the proposed water pipeline from Lake Huron to Flint raised many questions.

David Caswell asked why, in the 1960s, when Flint's population peaked at over 200,000 residents, the Flint River was able to sustain the city's water demand, but today experts say that with half the population the river would be stressed.

Lossing replied that dams have significantly affected river water levels. But she said she wasn't sure if that would be a problem if the city decided to use river water.

Caswell asked if wells like those used in Grand Blanc Township and other outlying municipalities would be effective in providing water for Flint.

Lossing said, from her studies, municipal water that is tested regularly is safer than water that comes from wells.

Dan Smith said that current regulations require a viable backup source if using well water.

Lossing ended her presentation with information about the earth's fresh water supply.

"Only three percent of the earth's water is fresh. The rest is salt water. The water in lakes, rivers, streams and ponds make up only a small fraction of the world's fresh water. Almost 70 percent of the fresh water is trapped in glaciers," she said.

She concluded saying protecting our watershed here should be a high priority.

In other matters, information from the Commit to Fit organization was distributed in the form of a list of 99 ways to better health. Flint citizens may wish to pay special attention to No. 14 on the list — "Rake rather than use a leaf blower. Afterward, jump in the pile."

Members were urged to visit www.commit-2-fit.org to learn more ways to better health.