Milwaukee Water Commons Announces Progress Made on “Water City Agenda,” the Plan for Milwaukee’s Water Future

MILWAUKEE – On October 12^th, Milwaukee Water Commons is hosting their second annual Confluence Gathering, an event promoting stewardship of Milwaukee’s waters. Last year’s Confluence launched a series of six bold water initiatives for the city of Milwaukee under the banner of the “Water City Agenda,” and this year’s Confluence celebrates the progress made toward these goals while inviting new leadership to join this continued work. The Agenda, designed via a collaborative process and incorporating the ideas and input of more than 1300 Milwaukeeans, includes significantly increasing green infrastructure throughout the city, ensuring lead-free drinking water for all residents, expanding water recreation for all residents and making our rivers swimmable and fishable.

“We knew achieving these goals was going to take a different model of leadership, one that helps every Milwaukeean feel a sense of responsibility for our shared waters,” said Ann Brummitt, Co-Executive Director of Milwaukee Water Commons. “This type of change can’t just happen from the top-down. It’s got to be a city-wide effort, one where everyone takes responsibility for water’s protection and care.”

Her counterpart, Brenda Coley, Co-Executive Director, agreed. “We’ve spent three years engaging over 1300 Milwaukeeans from every part of our city to put these initiatives together, and in that process we heard a message loud and clear – the people are ready for big change,” said Coley. Milwaukee Water Commons won’t be doing that work alone. Partners include MMSD, who are launching their Green Infrastructure Center for Excellence at the Global Water Center on the same evening. “We’re so glad to join with MMSD and our other partners in work for and celebration of our waters, and we encourage folks to attend both gatherings on October 12,” said Coley.

The Confluence Gathering is a chance for people from across the city to come together, learn what’s already happening and find their places in this important work. There’s room for every type of leader at this table, and the event is free of charge. “Milwaukee has the needed ingenuity, creativity and expertise to become a model water city and we believe everyone, everywhere has a vital role to play in this effort,” said Brummitt.

Participants should expect to have a good time at the October 12^th event, said Coley. “There will be arts, video and music, including a performance from the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Jazz Ensemble. Dinner is also provided from El Canaveral Mexican Restaurant. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’re going to celebrate while we’re doing it.”

For more information contact Ann Brummitt at 414-763-6199 or ann@milwaukeewatercommons.org

https://www.milwaukeewatercommons.org/confluence-registration

About Milwaukee Water Commons
Milwaukee Water Commons, a 501(c)3 organization, is dedicated to fostering connection, collaboration and broad community leadership on behalf of our waters.  We promote stewardship of, equitable access to and shared decision-making for our common waters. http://www.milwaukeewatercommons.org/

Water City Agenda:

1. Milwaukee is a national leader in blue-green jobs.
2. Safe, clean and affordable tap water is available to every Milwaukeean.
3. We significantly advance green infrastructure practices across the city.
4. Our three rivers and Lake Michigan are swimmable and fishable.
5. Every Milwaukeean has meaningful water experiences.
6. Milwaukee celebrates our waters in arts and culture.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.