Milwaukee's Freshwater Advantage for Business

Downtown MilwaukeeMilwaukee's abundant, reliable, high quality supply of water at a low cost is one of the reasons water-intensive and water technology business and research perform competitively and profitably in the Milwaukee area. Fresh water is Milwaukee’s competitive advantage.  

Water Rate Discounts for Business

The Milwaukee Water Works provides a declining block rate in which cost per unit volume decreases with increased usage. This is an advantage for commercial customers who use more than 34 Ccf per month (25,000 gallons/month) or more than 100 Ccf per quarter (75,000 gallons/quarter). For example, a customer using 6,000 Ccf of water per month would pay $10,290 per month for water use without the declining block rate. The declining block rate provides the same customer with a monthly discount of $2,900.

The utility also offers a WAVE Rate (Water Attracting Valued Employers), or Economic Development Rate (EDR), to encourage business growth and retention. Learn more in a brochure and download an application form for a new customer or an existing customer, or call our Water Marketing Speciaist, (414) 286-2803. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) designed the EDR to be offered for a period of five years to every new or expanding business in the Milwaukee Water Works service area in exchange for increased water usage and job creation.

Mayor Tom Barrett has pledged City of Milwaukee collaboration to encourage water research and business development. 

Mayor Barrett offers collaboration to attract water business (Oct 2011)
City may aid Water Tech Park, by Tom Daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel  

The Milwaukee Water Works is a partner with the M7 Food & Beverage Advisory Council, working with food industry leaders to develop the strategy and resources to expand food operations around the region and attract new companies from around the nation and globe.

Hydrant, Meter, and Water Connection Charges -- Obtain a Permit

Here are PSC 2011 rate schedules for Milwaukee Water Works water and services, including charges for hydrant permits and water connection permits

Water service permits, including permits to hook up to a hydrant or install a temporary meter, are available from the Department of City Development Tech Team. There is a list of permits at the Permit Center. Call or email the Tech Team, (414) 286-8208; techteam@milwaukee.gov. Or, apply for a permit online with the ePermit System. The ePermit system is an online permit application system allowing contractors to apply and pay online for permits that do not require a plan review. The process only takes a few minutes.

Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing permits are available online; other permit types will be available soon.

For more information about Milwaukee's freshwater advantage, please contact the Milwaukee Water Works Water Marketing Specialist, (414) 286-2803 Email: watwebcs@milwaukee.gov

Additional resources are available from our Economic Development Partners:

Milwaukee Department of City Development, (414) 286-5800  Visit milwaukee.gov/DCD

Milwauke Economic Development Corp., (414) 286-5840  Visit medconline.com

MILWAUKEE 7 Regional Economic Development Partnership and Food & Beverage Council, (866) 596-6463 or (414) 287-4126
Email: milwaukee7@mmac.org Visit
 choosemilwaukee.com

Milwaukee Water Council, (414) 828-3817 Visit TheWaterCouncil.com