No regional organization, municipality, political subdivision, agency or instrumentality, or any other organization, association or individual within the State of Illinois, which under Section 1.2 of this Act is not required to obtain a permit to divert Lake Michigan water but which has a new or increased consumptive use of Lake Michigan water in excess of an average of 2 million gallons per day in any 30 day period, shall commence such new or increased consumptive use without first obtaining a valid consumptive use permit from the Department. A regional organization, municipality, political subdivision, agency or instrumentality, or any other organization, association or individual desiring to consume water from Lake Michigan in excess of 2 million gallons per day in any 30 day period shall make application to the Department on forms provided by the Department, which application shall contain a detailed statement, with supporting documentation, of all the following information: (1) the place of the proposed withdrawal and the place of the proposed consumptive use; (2) the nature and purpose of the proposed consumptive use, including the total annual and monthly volume and rate of the withdrawal; (3) the annual and monthly volume and rate of consumptive use resulting from the withdrawal and the place, volume, and quality of return flows, detailing anticipated physical, chemical and biological alterations of return flow water; and (4) a statement of alternative possibilities for meeting the applicant’s need for a consumptive use of Lake Michigan water.
     In reviewing an application for a consumptive use permit, the Department shall permit the proposed consumptive use if: (1) it is a reasonable and beneficial use and is necessary to serve the present and future needs of the applicant; (2) reasonable conservation practices, measures and technologies are incorporated to minimize the quantity of Lake Michigan water consumed; and (3) it is consistent with the protection of the public health, safety and welfare, and does not adversely affect the public interest.