Kevin Shafer

Do You Believe in Beavers?

Study finds return of beaver dams to Milwaukee watershed could add $3.3 billion worth of stormwater storage.

Can You Find the Watermarkers?

New public water-themed art installations going up around the city.

Veolia Opens New Office, Celebrates W+E Forward Partnership

Company is latest to move Downtown, but its work with The Water Council's new partnership could be even bigger.

MMSD Announces $13 Million Water Tech Lab

Federally funded lab at water reclamation facility in Oak Creek to develop new technologies.

Research Facility All About Cutting-Edge, Cost-Effective Advancements in Wastewater Treatment Technology

Officials Celebrate Kletzsch Dam Fish Passage

$3 million project connects fish to 54 miles of habitat that's been out of reach for 80 years.

Climate Has Changed for Sewerage District

Once trashed by local media and some officials, MMSD now enjoys wide support.

Senator Baldwin Delivers for Southeastern Wisconsin in Government Funding Legislation

Baldwin secured support for affordable housing, critical infrastructure, public safety, and more

Energy Plan Approved, Powered by 100% Renewable Sources

Baldwin Notches Wins for Wisconsin Farmers, Rural Communities, Water Infrastructure, and Tribes in Annual Funding Legislation

Construction Bid Expected to Save Taxpayers $35 Million

Part of Project to Clean 100+ Years of Toxic Pollution from Milwaukee Waterways

Supervisor Pushes Kletzsch Park Dam Overlook

$309,000 project would increase access to river, allow portage for canoes, kayaks.

EPA Giving Milwaukee $17 Million For Sewer Project

Relocating lakefront sewer overflow part of much larger environmental cleanup project.

Milwaukee Wins $275 Million Grant To Fund Massive Waterway Cleanup

Generational effort will see Milwaukee waterways lose their "area of concern" designation.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Largest Ever Clean-up under EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to Address Milwaukee Area of Concern

Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, new funding agreement between EPA and partners will invest an estimated $450 million to cleanup of nearly two million cubic yards of contaminated sediments

Groundbreaking Held For Moss Universal Park

First park in county, and perhaps in U.S. that's wholly accessible for people with disabilities.

Massive Tree Planting & Wetland Restoration Program Inaugural Event to Reduce Flooding Risks in the Region

State Approves $96 Million Harbor Cleanup Facility

Part of federally-backed effort to remove "area of concern" designation from Milwaukee's waterways.

MMSD Gets $42 Million Loan For Stormwater Projects

Low-interest federal loan will help fund sewerage district's green infrastructure projects.

Senator Baldwin Applauds House Vote to Pass Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Bipartisan legislation creates Wisconsin jobs and rebuilds Badger State infrastructure

Wisconsin Local Leaders Support Passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Making a Major Federal Investment in Rebuilding Water Infrastructure

Praise for Senator Baldwin’s work on bipartisan legislation that will help local communities replace dangerous lead service lines, address dangerous PFAS chemicals, and improve resiliency of infrastructure

Officials Celebrate Tent City Replacement

Joint effort by city, county, state and MMSD worthy of national emulation?

Flood Control Helps Milwaukee Watershed

MMSD, conservationists have preserved 11,000 acres to help reduce flooding caused by climate change.

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $500

The Curious Campaign of Michele Bryant

Why is a Democratic state senator’s chief of staff running against another Democratic senator?

More Water Infrastructure Funding Needed

Federal spending for water pipelines, sewage system, etc. is just one-eighth of what it was in 1970s.

$29 Million Partnership to Clean Up Harbor

DNR, city, county, MMSD want to take harbor off the list of polluted waterways.

Few Local Water Systems Test for PFAS

DNR says 2 of 125 treatment plants in state submitted results for toxic PFAS chemicals.

The Water Council now accepting applications for fifth round of Pilot Program

The program connects water-related businesses with potential sites and funding to further validate and commercialize technologies.

The Water Council Announces Third ‘Water Warrior of the Year Award’ Winner

Executive Director of Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District is recognized for his support of STEAM education.

North Point Lighthouse – May 8, 2019 Lecture “MMSD – The Status of Water in our Region”

Sponsored by Landmark Credit Union

Sewerage District Is National Leader

Milwaukee leads nation in reclaiming water, but rise in extreme rains a challenge.

City Announces Green Infrastructure Plan

Big changes to adapt to climate change and increase in damaging rainstorms.

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Introduces Legislation to Accelerate Water Technology and Innovations

Wisconsin is leading the development of new solutions to address water challenges

The Water Council Announces 2018 Pilot Program Winners

Four companies in Wisconsin recognized for innovative water solutions

Celebrate the Removal of the Estabrook Dam

Please join us for an evening by the river and across from the former dam site.

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $400

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $400

Wisconsin’s Water Technology Sector Highlighted During Governor Walker’s Trade Mission to Israel

State water technology leaders join governor highlighting state’s strengths

Governor Walker, WEDC Secretary Hogan Depart Friday for Trade Mission to Israel

Trip to focus on attracting investment, developing partnerships in water technology sector

The Water Council, WEDC to host water conferences in China

Two events in November aimed at showcasing how Wisconsin’s water technology companies could help China address its challenges

Funding Available for Water-Related Pilot and Demonstration Sites

Now accepting applications to bring working prototypes to pilot sites in Wisconsin to advance water innovation

Lessons of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma

Concrete infrastructure has limitations. Only sustainable green solutions can solve future flooding.

MMSD Presented With Leading Utility of the World Award

MMSD Executive Director Kevin Shafer has been nominated for membership in Global Water Leaders Group.

Fund for Lake Michigan Commits $250,000 to Estabrook Dam Removal

Removing the dam will restore crucial habitat for native fish species including sturgeon, walleye, salmon and trout.

Drug mail-in initiative will make it easy to dispose of unused meds

Multifaceted first-of-its-kind in the nation city partnership aimed at opioid and heroin epidemic; includes CVS Pharmacy, MMSD, City of Cudahy, DOJ, DEA, US Bank and USPS

30th Street Corridor Wins $200,000 Grant

Federal green infrastructure grant could help transform area some call “Blackfish Bay.”

Northwest Side CDC Advancing The North Corridor Vision

Keynote and discussion presented “The 30th Street Corridor Like You’ve Never Seen It Before”

Marquette, A. O. Smith release water study results

Water and manufacturing study led by Marquette, A. O. Smith and U.S. Council on Competitiveness stresses need for stewardship, innovation

MKE Plays ready to transform Marcus DeBack Playground

Friday news event will include unveiling of major improvements at playground – one of six playground upgrades planned for Milwaukee during 2016

Milwaukee Water Commons Launching “Water City Agenda” to Plan for Milwaukee’s Water Future

Hundreds of Milwaukeeans Will Gather to Redefine How Water Decisions are Made in Milwaukee

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s New Legislation to Accelerate Water Technologies Receives Strong Support

The Water Council: “An important and critical step in fostering new, innovative procedures and products in the marketplace and in communities that would help address these tremendous national challenges.”

Experts Question Abele’s Expanded Power

Land-use experts say it’s unwise to give county exec so much power to sell public land.

Behold The ECO Mayor

Barrett touts green efforts, changes name of environmental sustainability office to ECO.

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $400

Milwaukee’s Infrastructure Challenges

Public Policy Forum panelists agree: Federal money is becoming a less reliable source of infrastructure funding.

Ald. Witkowski’s District Goes Green

The new Urban Orchard is latest project in his "Garden District."

Garden District Urban Orchard project will be unveiled on Friday

Sustainable system likely the first of its kind in Milwaukee

Supervisor Jason Haas to Join Ald. Witkowski to Showcase and Dedicate New Sustainable Urban Orchard

News Conference to Be Held at 9 a.m. Friday at Garden District Farmers’ Market

From Gray to Green

The sewerage district has moved from tunnels and pipes to greenways, rain barrels and permeable pavement. Part 2 of a series.

How The Sewerage District Came of Age

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District has been a national leader since its formation. Part 1 of a three-part series.

MMSD Settles With Boston Store

Suit posed question: is Deep Tunnel depleting water table and causing downtown buildings to sink?

Milwaukee’s Miraculous Water Hub

Almost overnight, the city has become an international leader in water technology, says the national media. Are they right?

The Land of Brownfields

The 30th St. Corridor can’t succeed unless the contaminated land is healed. The process is already underway. Fifth story of a series.

MMSD Statement on Washington Ralley for Water Infrastructure & Jobs

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Executive Director Kevin L. Shafer’s Statement on Today’s National Water Rally in Washington D.C.

27 Different Drugs Found in Lake Michigan

Milwaukee water safe but MMSD official says capturing pharmaceuticals is going to be challenge.

Milwaukee Leads The Way on Water Testing

After the cryptosporidium crisis city became a national leader, whose system tests for more than 500 chemicals.

Airborne Asbestos Plagues South Side?

A KK river restoration project may be causing asbestos and lead contamination while tearing down homes too near the river.

S. 2nd Street Street Re-design Approved at Committee

For over a year business owners, property owners, and residents in Walker's Point have worked to have S. 2nd Street rebuilt with people in mind. The plan, as UrbanMilwaukee.com has covered in past, includes narrowing the street from 58 feet to 50 feet, removing travel lanes, and adding bike lanes, street trees, and new lighting with the goal of creating a street conducive to multiple modes of transportation, be it walking, biking, or driving.

Seven Reasons To Replace The Hoan Bridge

Both the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and The Business Journal of Milwaukee have covered the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's announcement that they're examining options for the future of the Hoan Bridge as the day nears when it will need costly repairs. We thought it was time to weigh in.

Dem Challenge for Panzer Seat

The disarray of the Republican 20th Senate District has convinced the Democratic Party to field a write-in candidate for primary.