As colder air masses move over a warm Lake Erie, people who frequent the coast should notice a change – decreasing lake levels.

Over the summer months, Cleveland Water staff have been closely watching as the waters of Lake Erie separate into distinct layers – a layer of warm water at the surface and a cold water layer at the bottom of the lake.

In Lake Erie’s recorded history, we’ve never seen water levels this high.

Every summer, as the temperature of Lake Erie slowly climbs in advance of the annual lake stratification, Cleveland Water closely monitors the lake's water quality for any issues that might follow.

Our 1.4 million customers are part of the more than 12 million people who rely on Lake Erie as their source of drinking water. Clean water and a healthy Lake Erie is critical not only for our community to survive but for it to thrive as a region that leverages its assets to build economic, social and environmental well-being for all.

Each year Cleveland Water issues a Water Quality Report for our customers. This annual report, also called a Consumer Confidence Report, provides a review of our water quality during the past year, including testing results and information.

Cleveland Water takes pride in ensuring the water we treat and deliver to your tap meets and exceeds federal and state water quality regulations as well as industry standards.

At Cleveland Water, every day we are thankful to have a massive supply of fresh water at our doorstep. But during the polar vortex, we were thankful for a different reason.

Several days ago we told you that Lake Erie’s bottom water temperatures had reached below the magic number of 39.2°F, meaning the surface could freeze as long as the air temperature above the lake stayed below freezing.