Milwaukee Water Works

Cryptosporidium

Milwaukee Water Works (MWW) is a major institution in the metropolitan area that deals specifically with clean drinking water. As a component of the Department of Public works, the Water Works faction operates within the public realm. User fees, however, are accorded in a manner that most commonly manifests itself in the form of a water bill. Water works covers a large geographic area, providing ". . . water to 860,000 people in . . . Milwaukee, Brown Deer, Butler, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Shorewood, St. Francis, Wauwatosa, West Allis, and West Milwaukee" (Welcome). MWW has been treating polluted Lake Michigan water since 1919 and

General Service Area

MWW is commonly perceived as a national leader in terms of water quality management, filtration, sanitation and monitoring methods. National visibility came about due to the collaborative response to the 1993 Cryptosporidium outbreak. MWW coordinated with city leaders, researchers and water professionals around the world (History of the Milwaukee Water Works). As we shall see, their response garnished one of the most advanced water treatment operations in the world.

Lake Michigan water is now (post 1993) treated at two treatment plans (Linnwood and Howard Avenue) using a comprehensive 9-stage purification process, which includes sedimentation and filtration, ozone treatment, as well as relocating intakes away from polluted areas (Casero).

The real uniqueness associated with Milwaukee's treatment process has to do with the fact that it was the largest ozone retrofit at the time (History of the Milwaukee Water Works). Ozone (O3), a highly-reactive oxidant. Germs, viruses, bacteria, chemicals and other compounds are literally torn apart in the purification process.

Ozone Treatment Facility

O3 gas is bubbled through the water, where it comes into contact with pollutants such as Cryptosporidium. This process makes it incredibly unlikely that contaminated water will reach homes and businesses that utilize MWW services. O3 also reduces the need for potentially harmful sanitation compounds, such as triclosan, which is believed to cause physiological changes in fish (Ceraso).

MWW is also instrumental in its advocacy and monitoring methods. Working in conjunction with the EPA, MWW "monitors and responds to public health issues", provides "real-time data" about water quality and provides "applied research" (History of the Milwaukee Water Works).

Although MWW plays an important role in monitoring and research, it is important to note it's paradoxical nature. It appears that MWW functions in the form of solving mediation and adaptation inadequacies. MWW is a band-aid: it does not hold polluting institutions accountable, and does not have the authority to strengthen regulatory requirements. While some activities of this institution is indicative of problem-solving, a huge component of their operations are confined to an observer status. After all, they merely provide the results of their observations, while simultaneously being forced to respond to the shortcomings of pollution prevention tactics.

The question is: would we need such a comprehensive water treatment system if Lake Michigan was never so dirty to begin with? Their response, while satisfying in nature, brings into question whether or not their efforts unintentionally rationalizes and/or covers up the unfavorable outcomes of polluting activities. Is this indicative of a wicked problem?

Sources:
Casero, Marion. (2013). "20 Years After Fatal Outbreak, Milwaukee Leads on Water Testing". Retrieved from" http://wisconsinwatch.org/2013/05/20-years-after-fatal-outbreak-milwaukee-leads-on-water-testing/. Accessed October 22, 2015.

"History of the Milwaukee Water Works". (2014). Retrieved from: http://milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/WaterWorks/files/brochure-HistoryoftheMWWNorthP.pdf. Accessed October 21, 2015.

"Welcome to the Milwaukee Water Works. Milwaukee, Wisconsin -- The Global Freshwater City". Milwaukee Water Works: Safe, Abundant Drinking Water. Retrieved from: http://milwaukee.gov/water. Accessed October 21, 2015.

Images:
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