City of Racine Submits Water Diversion Application to Serve Village of Mount Pleasant

Diversion will serve job-generating development along I-94 corridor without the need to increase permitted City withdrawal from Lake Michigan

The City of Racine today submitted a straddling community water diversion application for Great Lakes water to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on behalf of the Village of Mount Pleasant (the Village), a long-time customer of the City of Racine’s Water Utility. The application is to extend water service to the portion of Mount Pleasant that is located in the Mississippi River basin, including the future site of the manufacturing facility being constructed by Foxconn Technology Group (Foxconn). The DNR has review authority and will offer opportunities for public comment.

“While Foxconn will be a user of the water, this application will benefit the entire region,” said Jenny Trick, Executive Director of Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) and spokesperson for the local Foxconn project team. “If approved, the diversion will support broader I-94 corridor development, creating even more Racine County jobs, patrons and residents, while protecting our area’s greatest natural resource.”

For years, the Village has sought to develop its southwest corner, including obtaining Great Lakes water as a clean, abundant water supply. If approved, the diversion of Great Lakes water within this area will provide a safe drinking water supply to an approximately 2.3 square mile area of Mount Pleasant, including for the anticipated thousands of Wisconsin workers who would be employed by companies located within the area.

“Expanding water access has been of longstanding interest to the Village of Mount Pleasant,” said Claude Lois, Project Director for the Village of Mount Pleasant. “If this application is approved, it will help us better serve the current and future residents, workers and visitors to our Village.”

Click here to view the DNR's site regarding the application and approval process.