The Great Lakes are among the world’s most important sources of freshwater, supporting millions of people and diverse economies across Canada and the US. For decades, the International Joint Commission (IJC) has examined the risks posed by the consumptive use, diversion and removal of water from the Great Lakes, with the goal of ensuring these waters are managed sustainably. Water withdrawals and diversions serve essential needs—including agriculture, energy, industry, and municipal water supply—making careful and coordinated management a shared priority for communities, businesses and governments across the basin.
The IJC issued recommendations on this topic in 2000, 2004, and 2015. Its new Draft 2025 Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes Report builds on this history, setting out 16 updated recommendations to replace those made in 2015. These recommendations are designed to strengthen safeguards against unsustainable uses and advance cooperative, basin-wide management. The recommendations are intended to completement the related efforts of other governments and key organizations, including the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Resources Compact Council and Regional Body, the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers, and the Great Lakes Commission.
On August 14, 2025, more than 100 participants joined the IJC’s public webinar to learn about the draft report, hear directly from Commission representatives and report authors, and share their perspectives on the 16 recommendations. The session provided an opportunity to discuss the implications of water diversions and withdrawals and to explore how the recommendations can support sustainable management of the Great Lakes. The recording of the webinar is available here: https://ijc.org/pwgl
The IJC held a public comment period on the draft report from July 31 to August 31, 2025, and received many verbal and written comments by the deadline. The draft report also draws on nearly 40 interviews with key stakeholders and subject matter experts; the report authors expect public input will further validate and refine its findings. Additional information and materials for the consultation are available on the main consultation page: https://ijc.org/pwgl
The final report will be published by the end of 2025.
