In June, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett released the Sustainable Municipal Water Management Public Evaluation Report, the first annual report charting progress in regional water management. The Sustainable Municipal Water Management program is a comprehensive approach to protecting shared water resources through a collaboration of cities in the United States and Canada that comprise the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.

The region’s two water utilities, Milwaukee Water Works and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, have made strides in 21 areas under six broad principles: water conservation and efficiency; shared water stewardship; shoreline and waterways restoration; water pollution prevention; water protection planning; and water preparedness for climate change. Also credited for water quality improvements are Milwaukee Riverkeeper and Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust, Inc.

“The report is a vital tool for developing best practices to conserve our most valuable natural resource and enhance the health and beauty of our local watersheds for the use and enjoyment of all Milwaukee residents,” comments Barrett.

To view the complete report, visit Tinyurl.com/m4scrps.