United Water
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Residents in the Milwaukee Metropolitan area have very high environmental expectations. They demand performance that is better than regulatory standards. In addition, they want their water and wastewater systems to be handled cost effectively, safely and with the highest level of managerial expertise. As a result, tighter controls on wastewater management, better methods to reduce energy use and improved maintenance programs have made a positive difference in Milwaukee’s water quality.
How did it happen? In 1998 United Water and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District formed a
public-private partnership that has delivered unprecedented results. United Water operates MMSD’s wastewater treatment system that serves 1.1 million people in 28 communities. These facilities include the award winning Jones Island and South Shore wastewater treatment plants that have a combined hydraulic capacity of
660-mgd. In addition, United Water is also responsible for the field operations including the interceptor
system, deep tunnel system, a 30-megawatt power plant and an award winning diversified biosolids management program.
The nation’s largest wastewater public-private partnership has brought environmental, economic and public health benefits to Milwaukee area residents. The contract resulted in an immediate 30 percent cost decrease in operations, a 16 percent reduction on the tax levy, a no layoff agreement for employees and a $3.4 million capital investment program. United Water has met or exceeded environmental operating standards that are more stringent than those required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The partnership has made a positive difference in the quality of the water in Lake Michigan and the river ways in the Milwaukee area.
Key accomplishments include seven consecutive years without permit violations at either plant, earning the coveted AMSA Platinum and Gold Awards; improved management and maintenance systems and processes that ensure the clients’ assets are properly maintained. United Water also improved equipment availability, reduced energy and chemical usage, and increased safety and training programs for employees.
In addition United Water has exceeded its Minority/Small/Women-Owned Business goals and has been nationally recognized by the National Academy Foundation for its Washington High School Adopt-A-School program. The partnership has also earned the NACWA Peak Performance Awards; NAACP Humanitarian Award; National Academy Foundation Business Partner of the Year Award and the World Innovative Energy Management Award.
United Water provides water and wastewater services to 7 million people in the
United States. In addition to owning and operating regulated utilities, United Water operates municipal systems through public-private partnerships and contact agreements. |
