Milwaukee is a national leader in providing high quality drinking water and monitoring water quality. Crystal clear Milwaukee water is available fresh and pure 24 hours a day. Drink Locally, and enjoy the health benefits of clean and safe Milwaukee water.

Effective Sept. 1, 2009, water rates for general service, wholesale, and public fire protection customers increased by 3.8% for water used after Sept. 1, 2009. The new rate will be phased in, appearing on quarterly bills issued in November, December, and January 2010, and at the full 3.8% thereafter.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) approved the simplified rate increase to cover increased costs of operating and to improve the financial health of the utility, as requested by the Mayor and Common Council in July 2009. See page two of this notice for the effect on quarterly bills. The current rate structure is available at Current Water Rates.

Also in July, the Common Council approved a proposal for a conventional rate increase which will be heard by the Public Service Commission this fall. Here are some questions and answers about the rate increase.

At the new rate, the average single family will pay 55 cents per day for water. Even with the rate increase, Milwaukee will have the 59th least expensive water of the 78 water utilities in the seven-county region of southeastern Wisconsin. Of the 50 largest cities in the U.S., Milwaukee will have the 37th least expensive water.

In the last decade, the Milwaukee Water Works invested over $210 million in its treatment and distribution systems to ensure exceedingly high quality drinking water. The Milwaukee Water Works treats Lake Michigan water with a multiple-step process to protect public health. Ozone gas, one of the most powerful disinfectants available, destroys microorganisms, reduces chlorinated disinfection byproducts, and removes taste and odor. Coagulation, settling, and filtration remove additional particles. Fluoride is added for dental health.

The Milwaukee Water Works has been recognized as one of only 28 major utilities nationwide that conducts extensive testing for emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals.

We encourage everyone to safely dispose of waste, unused, and outdated prescription and over-the-counter medications free of charge at a Medicine Collection Day. Watch this space for future collection events. Never flush or pour unused medicine down the sink or toilet. We can all share in the efforts to keep waste medicines out of the Lake Michigan source water by properly disposing of them.

The Milwaukee Water Works is owned by the City of Milwaukee, and provides safe, abundant drinking water to residents and businesses in Milwaukee and 15 neighboring communities.

Only tap water delivers public health protection, water for fire suppression, and support for the economy and the quality of life we enjoy in Milwaukee.

The EPA has notified the Water Works that its water treatment and monitoring systems are in full compliance -- five years ahead of time -- with new regulations to control disinfection byproducts.

Abundant Supply