2005 City of Cleveland, Ohio Division of Water

Lake Erie

Drinking Water Origins

The Value Of Drinking Water

Protecting Your Family From Lead Hazards

Water Contents

Defining Drinking Water Standards

Special Situations

How To Reach Us

The Cleveland Division of Water (CWD) uses surface water drawn from four intakes in Lake Erie as the source of our drinking water. Lake Erie is a part of the Great Lakes watershed. Ninety-five percent of the water entering Lake Erie comes from the upstream Great Lakes - Superior, Michigan, and Huron as well as all of the rivers and streams that flow into these Lakes. The remaining 5% comes from rain and snow in the Lake Erie drainage basin which includes the various streams and rivers that flow into Lake Erie. By their nature, surface waters, such as lakes and rivers, are accessible and can be contaminated by chemicals and disease causing organisms. Since our intake systems are located a considerable distance offshore (built in the early 1900s and again in the '40s and '50s), potential contamination from rivers, streams and other nearby sources is greatly minimized.

Cleveland's Water Supply: Lake Erie

Since no single treatment process can address all possible contaminants, we use a multiple barrier process to treat Lake Erie water in order to meet drinking water quality standards. Additionally, implementing measures to protect Lake Erie may improve our water quality. There are several key ways that area residents and businesses can help protect Lake Erie.

Remove trash and debris from sewers and storm sewers.
Dispose of household wastes such as fertilizers, pesticides, paints, paint thinners and motor oil properly.
Prevent soil erosion by planting trees, grass or shrubs along streams and rivers.
Support local watershed groups as well as other organizations dedicated to protecting the environment.

For more information about potential pollution sources, contact our Risk Management Section at 216-664-2444, x5721 and ask for our Drinking Water Source Assessment Report.

Cleveland Division of Water - Cleveland's Water Source: Lake Erie