Drinking Water and Wastewater both received grades of C- (between mediocre: requires attention and poor: at risk).
Municipal water utilities have water quality issues, including lead, bacteria, nitrates, arsenic and radium. Both water and wastewater utilities have aging water treatment and distribution infrastructure. Wastewater utilities face challenges of growth, more intense storm events and new wastewater discharge regulations for compounds such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin (LWVWI) was joined by authors from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) who gave 20-minute presentations and conducted a live question and answer (Q&A) conversation with panelists and the audience on how to raise the grades for drinking water and wastewater.
The presenters were Carl Sutter, Professional Engineer (P.E.), Director American Society of Civil Engineers - WI Section (presented on Drinking Water) and Jennifer Hurlebaus, P.E., Wastewater Lead Author, ASCE-WI Section 2020 Infrastructure Report Card (presented on wastewater)
Justin Bilskemper, P.E., is the Lead Author of the Drinking Water section.
Panelists included:
- Karen Dettmer, Superintendent, Milwaukee Waterworks
- Steven B. Elmore, Bureau Director, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Chanz Green, City of Ashland Utility Manager for Water and Wastewater
- Shyquetta McElroy, Coalition on Lead Emergency (COLE), Parent’s LEAD,
- Denise Schmidt, Administrator, Division of Water Utility Regulation and Analyses, Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin
The program was recorded and is available to view here. Learn more about the League's series on infrastructure here and read the full ASCE Infrastructure Report here. You can view this article to see the series schedule.
