Rainwater Reuse Fair Helps Johnsons Park Residents Combat Flooding

MILWAUKEE, August 30, 2017 — Looking for relief from the headaches of flooded basements and streets following every heavy rain? The Think Blue | Think Green Rainwater Reuse Fair, hosted by nonprofit Milwaukee Water Commons, provides solutions to these problems and hands-on education. The event will showcase how neighborhood residents can direct rainwater away from their homes to rain barrels, rain gardens, flower and garden beds, and community gardens. Local experts will be available to discuss these solutions, many of which can be done at low- or no-cost to neighborhood residents.

“Milwaukee homeowners can reduce flooding and save money by collecting and reusing rainwater in flower and vegetable gardens,” said Nicole Carver, co-chair of Milwaukee Water Commons’ Green Infrastructure Initiative. “The great green infrastructure work the Alice’s Garden community has built has spurred a lot of interest from local residents, and we’re excited to show folks just how easy and cost-effective it is to install these great solutions in their yards.” Attendees of the fair can expect to learn about the different types of options available, and to access free or low-cost services.

“Nature-based solutions like those featured at the Rainwater Reuse Fair are good for communities, drinking water and the Great Lakes,” added Todd Ambs, campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “The bottom line is communities around the region need help to fix, repair and modernize their drinking water and waste water infrastructure to keep communities and families safe, and we’re counting on the federal government to make investments in water infrastructure a top priority.”

“There’s so much interest in our communities about how to better manage our water infrastructure, for both the sake of our residents and our environment,” added Carver. “This is really becoming a movement in our city, and the Rainwater Reuse Fair invites new leadership to grow and shape this movement.”

The first Think Blue | Think Green Rainwater Reuse Fair will be held Sunday, Aug. 27, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Alice’s Garden, 2136 N 21st Street in Milwaukee. Food and door prizes will be available.

Think Blue | Think Green is part of the Milwaukee Water Commons Water City Agenda. It also works in collaboration with the Milwaukee City Council Promise Zones Initiative. The first neighborhood rainwater reuse fair is supported by a grant from the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.
For more information, call 414-763-6199 or visit milwaukeewatercommons.org.

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/

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.