By any measure, this is a water-rich region. The Great Lakes hold 20% of the world’s surface fresh water. Yet for many residents, water insecurity is a daily reality. The problem is not about how much water we have. It is whether that water is safe, affordable and reliably delivered. The crisis in Flint, Mich., proved that proximity to abundant fresh water does not guarantee that it is clean and safe to drink.

In a water-rich region, water insecurity is a policy failure.

Securing the region’s future requires a shift in mindset and investment. To remain economically competitive, the region must modernize the aging water infrastructure that underpins its economy. Research shows that these investments deliver strong returns, with every $1 million invested in water infrastructure generating approximately $2.5 million in economic growth.

Legacy industrial cities, like Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland, that built water systems to support manufacturing and population growth now contend with aging infrastructure and some of the nation’s highest concentrations of lead service lines. Decades of disinvestment and suburbanization have eroded the financial stability of urban utilities, contributing to an affordability crisis for residents who are often already facing economic hardship.

Rural communities face different strains, with smaller systems and fewer customers to share rising costs. Additionally, emerging contaminants, especially PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or “forever chemicals”), are showing up in groundwater and private wells. Residents in communities like Stella, Wis., and Oscoda, Mich., cannot drink water from their own wells because of PFAS contamination. In parts of southern Illinois and Michigan, families rely almost exclusively on bottled water for basic needs. This reliance affects household finances, health and long-term stability, and falls disproportionately on low-income families, rural communities, communities of color and Tribal Nations.

Climate change also compounds these pressures. The region is experiencing both heavier rainfall and more intense drought. Flooding overwhelms overburdened systems, causing sewer overflows and infrastructure damage. Droughts strain agriculture and drinking water supplies, especially in rural areas. As the region gains attention as a potential “climate refuge,” population growth and industrial demand will intensify competition for water resources.

Still, the Midwest remains attractive to water-intensive industries, including data centers, bottling operations and large-scale agriculture. Communities are often asked to balance the promise of an economic boon with public health and long-term sustainability. Decisions about water allocation and land use carry profound consequences. Without equity at the center, vulnerable populations bear the risks while others reap the benefits. Too often, those most affected are excluded from shaping the solutions.

Governance challenges further complicate progress. Water authority is fragmented across local, state, Tribal and federal levels. Funding processes are complex and frequently inaccessible to the communities with the greatest need. Policymakers tend to respond reactively to crises rather than investing proactively in resilience. Even when funding is available, program administration often overlooks technical assistance, workforce development and long-term capacity building.

Moving forward requires attracting long-term capital for infrastructure, strengthening local capacity, and collecting comprehensive data on water use and system needs. Greater coordination among all policymakers is essential, as is sustained investment in community-led planning. Preparing for climate stress means designing systems that can serve both current residents and those who may arrive seeking stability.

Water security is not a “niche” issue; it bolsters economic mobility, public health and environmental justice. In a region full of engaged “water champions” and stakeholders that include nonprofits and philanthropies, academics, policymakers and residents, the collective will to govern equitably is paramount because every household in the region deserves safe, affordable drinking water.

Preeti Shankar is a program officer in The Joyce Foundation’s Environment Program overseeing Great Lakes and drinking water grantmaking. Joyce is an underwriter of Crain’s Forum.