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Wisconsin: Milwaukee
Green Infrastructure Type: Green Municipalities
Types of Green Infrastructure Used: Green Roofs, Rain Gardens, Vegetated Swales & Landscaping, Wetlands, Riparian Protection, Downspout Detachment, Rain Barrels, and Urban Forests.
Summary:
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The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District has
planted a green roof on top of its headquarters to
help collect and filter rainwater. |
Description:
Like many communities with combined sewer systems, Milwaukee government officials wanted to find a way to reduce the number of combined sewer overflow (CSO) events in their city to improve the water quality of Lake Michigan and its surrounding tributaries. In addition to $3 billion worth of improvements made to the existing sewer system throughout the 1980s and 90s, the city also decided to invest in a variety of green infrastructure projects as well. One of the first initiatives was a 2003 downspout disconnection program that redirected building downspouts into rain barrels, pervious areas, and rain gardens. In addition, seven green roofs have recently been installed throughout the city, the largest of which sits atop a 114-unit mid-rise for senior citizens and covers roughly 20,000 square feet. To determine the potential impacts of its green infrastructure program, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) conducted a modeling analysis which suggested the total volume of stormwater sent to treatment plants in residential areas was reduced 31-37%, and that peak flows were reduced 5-36%, depending on the size of the rain event. Based upon these findings, MMSD has allocated more than $5.5 million for downspout rerouting programs, and has set aside and additional $4.5 million to promote, install, and monitor green infrastructure practices aimed at reducing stormwater runoff. In 2005, Milwaukee also embarked on a greenways initiative aimed at purchasing and protecting open space throughout the city to reduce runoff and improve local water quality.
For more information, visit: Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District  and Milwaukee Office of Environmental Sustainability .
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