WCVStories
Preventing water contamination in Lake Superior
When Mary Dougherty moved to Bayfield, Wisconsin, she never imagined she'd become a clean water activist. But living on the shores of Lake Superior – one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world – changed everything.
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Clean Water For All
May 28, 2025
When Mary Dougherty moved to Bayfield, Wisconsin, she never imagined she'd become a clean water activist. But living on the shores of Lake Superior – one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world – changed everything. When an industrial hog farm was proposed near Lake Superior, Mary and the Bayfield community banded together to stop it.
These concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) threaten Wisconsin’s drinking water because they can contaminate the groundwater with nitrate – a serious public health risk. In this video, Mary shares her journey from concerned mom to environmental leader, and calls on Wisconsin state legislators to take urgent action to protect clean water, rural communities, and the future of Lake Superior.
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