Mission Brief (TL;DR)
Zebra and quagga mussels, invasive species in the Great Lakes, have evolved resistance to common control methods. This is causing massive infrastructure damage to water treatment plants and power plants drawing water from the lakes, leading to increased operational costs and potentially impacting water supply reliability for millions of players.
Patch Notes
Environment Update: Zebra and quagga mussel populations have reached critical mass in the Great Lakes, exceeding previous threat levels. These filter feeders disrupt the aquatic food web, leading to declines in native fish populations and impacting recreational fishing guilds. The mussels' rapid reproduction rate and lack of natural predators in the Great Lakes ecosystem have allowed them to spread unchecked.
Infrastructure Debuff: Mussels are now demonstrating increased resistance to chlorine and other biocides traditionally used for control. This adaptation is forcing water treatment facilities to explore more expensive and complex treatment options, such as UV radiation and specialized filtration systems. Intake pipes are becoming heavily encrusted, reducing water flow and requiring costly maintenance shutdowns. Power plants are experiencing similar issues with their cooling water systems.
Economic Nerf: Municipalities and industries are facing escalating costs for water treatment and infrastructure maintenance. These costs are likely to be passed on to consumers in the form of higher water rates. The economic impact extends to tourism and recreation, as mussel infestations foul beaches and impact boating.
The Meta
Expect water rates to increase significantly across regions dependent on the Great Lakes. Investment in research and development for novel mussel control technologies is likely to increase. Long-term, this crisis could drive greater focus on preventative measures against invasive species introductions, including stricter ballast water regulations for shipping. Players reliant on Great Lakes resources should diversify their supply chains where possible. This situation highlights the fragility of essential infrastructure and the cascading consequences of ecological imbalances.
Sources
- Great Lakes Commission reports on invasive species management
- Recent studies on mussel resistance to biocides published in Environmental Science & Technology
- Local news reports from cities bordering the Great Lakes detailing water treatment cost increases