Until the late 20th century, wetlands were viewed as wastelands to be filled for agricultural or urban development. Today, we know wetlands serve several vital ecological, economic, and cultural roles. They store water to buffer against flooding, filter nutrients and… Read more
The spread of invasive Dreissenid mussels has relocated nutrients from the open water to the floor of Lake Michigan. How has this shift impacted the diets of fish and invertebrates in this system? Ben Turshak (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) and his… Read more
The Wingspread Event on Great Lakes Restoration and Climate Change (15-17 April 2014) convened renowned regional and national leaders, scientists and other Great Lakes stakeholders to discuss climate change impacts on restoration efforts in this vital system. Through plenary addresses and… Read more
Our water and sewer infrastructure were designed under assumptions that no longer hold true. A wetter Wisconsin with more frequent, intense storms will tax that failing infrastructure, increasing the risk of waterborne disease. The extreme storms that wreaked catastrophic flooding… Read more
Pathogen tracking and public communication strategies modeled after heat wave warning systems can educate the public about local risks and inform targeted boil-water advisories. Full Text PDF
We are beginning to glimpse the tip of the iceberg of rain-related disease, but its true incidence and costs to society are not yet fully quantified. The true incidence of waterborne disease in the United States is likely underestimated. Full… Read more
Children under age 5 are most vulnerable to acute diarrhea and its complication of severe dehydration. The viruses that cause diarrhea are routinely found in groundwater and migrate into public water distribution systems even after treatment. Full Text PDF
Impending hydrological changes in Wisconsin due to climate change combined with vulnerabilities due to failing infrastructure pose a public health threat, with increasingly extreme precipitation and leaky pipes promoting waterborne diseases that hit children hardest. More than half of the… Read more
Impending hydrological changes due to climate change, combined with vulnerabilities due to failing infrastructure, pose a threat to public health. More frequent and intense storm events combined with leaky wastewater and drinking water pipes can promote waterborne diseases, often affecting… Read more