Water is essential for human life. With continued population growth and globalization, pressure on our limited water supplies is growing.
Sustainable supplies of clean drinking water are essential for cities and leadership is needed to make this possible.
Freshwater only accounts for 2% of the world’s water. The Great Lakes contain over 20% of the global supply of fresh water and 84% of North America's surface fresh water. Milwaukee’s unique geographical location has inspired its leaders to celebrate and protect this priceless natural resource. The City of Milwaukee is establishing itself as a Water Centric City through its water leadership. Working with many diverse partners, the City has prioritized projects to enhance all aspects of water in the City of Milwaukee and surrounding region.
City of Milwaukee agencies play a leading role in providing healthy drinking water, managing storm water, and enhancing our water assets. The City and our partners collaborate with other units of government, business, academic institutions, and civic organizations to reach our shared Water Centric City goals. Cities across the world are taking steps to become Water Centric Cities.
We need leaders at all levels of government, business, and the community that understand the importance of water and advocate for smart water policy and stewardship that balances the needs of today with a sustainable future for our children.
Mayor Cavalier Johnson represents the City of Milwaukee as a member and director of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiatives (GLSCI). Mayor Johnson serves as Co-Chair of the GLSCI Mayors Commission on Water Equity alongside Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb. The Commission on Water Equity seeks to keep water equity on the policy agenda in the United States and promote the equitable implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The GLSCI is a coalition of mayors from the U.S. and Canada working together to protect and restore the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin, which provides drinking water for 40 million people and contains 21% of the Earth's surface freshwater. Founded in 2003, GLSCI has more than 175 member municipalities.
In September 2022, Mayor Johnson hosted a Water Equity Field Hearing at the U.S. Water Alliance's national One Water Summit in Milwaukee alongside 11 mayors from other Midwest cities, Environmental Protection Agency representatives, and state officials. Read the mayoral written testimonies or watch the full video of the hearing.
Water leadership is a continual process that occurs locally, nationally, and globally. Milwaukee's leaders continue to advance work to meet our shared goals, increase coastal resilience, improve water equity, and champion workforce development. Part of this leadership includes sharing research and practices with organizations globally.