Milwaukee

Challenge

With a rich history of innovation in biosolids management and wastewater treatment, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District sought a partner to facilitate new asset management practices and serve as a technical and operational provider. The District also wanted to ensure its environmental compliance record while seeking potential cost savings.

Veolia Water's solution

Veolia Water's proposal touched on many different facets including technical innovations, community involvement and activities to bolster Small/Women/Minority Business Enterprise (SWMBE) activity. Plans also included an asset management program based on the EPA's Asset Management Process, as well as collaborative process control and work plans aimed at controlling potential wet-weather overflows

Results

• After a successful first year of operation, District and Veolia Water personnel celebrated environmental compliance despite a highly active wet weather season.
• Veolia Water announced a $1.5M R&D program to support Great Lakes clean water initiatives, including research into the impact of pharmaceuticals on area watersheds, as well as potential wastewater treatment process improvements.
• Performance during a complex transition was excellent, including pro-active management practices and compliance with NPDES permits.
• Proactive management of energy costs, in spite of surges in natural gas costs.
• Solid improvements in employee safety through comprehensive training programs.
• SWMBE purchases were 16 percent above'08 goal of 20 percent.
• Community relations involvement included more than 1,500 facility visitors in the first 10 months of operation.

Scope

• Nation's largest wastewater partnership serving 1.1 million in 28 municipalities.
• Scope includes a 411-square-mile service area with a 3,000-mile system of collection sewers and a 310-mile system of interceptor and main sewers, two wastewater treatment facilities that typically treat more than 200 million gallons of wastewater each day (combined peak capacity of 630 million gallons), and operation of a 26.5-mile long deep tunnel.