In 2015, the Environmental Collaboration Office created the Green Infrastructure Baseline Inventory to establish a starting measure of impervious surface and green infrastructure in Milwaukee. The City of Milwaukee's Green Infrastructure Geographic Information Services (GIS) Tool was also created to facilitate the advancement of green infrastructure planning in the City of Milwaukee.
Green infrastructure includes: rain barrels, cisterns, rain gardens, native landscaping, permeable pavement, bioswales, stormwater trees, regenerative stormwater conveyance, depaving, green streets and alleys, greenways and land conservation, green and blue roofs, and soil amendments.
Key Takeaways:
- Milwaukee has 163.4 miles of shoreline.
- Of the 96.1 square miles of land area in the city, 45.5% is impervious surface.
- Existing green infrastructure captures 14 million gallons of stormwater.
- The City's sustainability plan states a capture goal of 36 million gallons of stormwater by 2030.
- The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) has a capture goal of 173-380 million gallons of stormwater by 2035.
Inventory of Green Infrastructure in the City of Milwaukee (As of 2015)
| TYPE |
NUMBER |
TOTAL AREA (SF) |
TOTAL AREA (Acres) |
Total Gallons of Capture |
| Bioretention |
231 |
894,418 |
20.5 |
7,263,957 |
| Constructed Wetlands |
2 |
15,360 |
0.4 |
127,488 |
| Green Roofs |
100 |
603,580 |
13.9 |
603,580 |
| Native Landscaping |
14 |
211,717 |
4.9 |
84,687 |
| Porous Pavement |
53 |
568,136 |
13 |
2,577,908 |
| Rain Gardens |
32 |
71,550 |
1.6 |
314,823 |
| Rain Barrels |
5,529 |
N/A |
N/A |
304,095 |
| Rainwater Catchment (Cisterns) |
52 |
N/A |
N/A |
2,719,369 |
| Soil Ammendments |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Stormwater Trees |
395 |
N/A |
N/A |
9,875 |
| TOTALS |
|
2,364,761 |
54.3 |
14,005,782 |
The Green Infrastructure Baseline Inventory served as the foundation for Milwaukee's Green Infrastructure Plan, which was adopted in 2019 by the Common Council. The plan was produced through meetings with environmental groups, developers, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, various City departments, the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences, and Marquette University Water Law and Policy Initiative.
Key Takeaways:
- Funding is prioritized for green streets, schoolyards, and parking lots.
- All large developments and redevelopments are required to capture the first 1/2 inch of rainfall using green infrastructure.
- Projects in high-priority subbasins will be prioritized to reduce impacts to vulnerable structures.
- The City will de-pave and add green infrastructure to properties with excess pavement and provide one-time financial incentives for installing green infrastructure.
- The City will partner with local organizations to support training and job opportunities for residents.
- Green infrastructure is required on all large developments through ordinance.
- Locally produced compost from food waste should be incorporated into local projecets when possible.
Milwaukee's Stormwater Capture Goal
Milwaukee Public Schools Green School Yard Transformations
The City of Milwaukee collaborates with Milwaukee Public Schools to prioritize green infrastructure on schoolyards. Annually, $600,000 from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District's (MMSD) Green Solutions fund is allocated to support green schoolyards projects and the schools' Sustainability Specialist position. Projects are completed in collaboration with the Green Schools Consortium of Milwaukee.
Learn about current Schoolyard Redevelopment Projects.
Green Infrastructure Map to Inform Planning
The City of Milwaukee's Green Infrastructure Geographic Information Services (GIS) Tool is publicly available. Through open data sharing, the goal is to facilitate the advancement of green infrastructure planning in the City of Milwaukee, and, ultimately, make the City more sustainable and resilient.
Note: The Green Infrastructure tool is listed under Map Applications and operates best with Internet Explorer.
Stormwater Management Charge Finances Projects
The City of Milwaukee finances stormwater management projects, including sewers, green infrastructure, and urban forestry, through a Stormwater Management Charge. Commercial property owners can receive a credit on this quarterly charge by adding green infrastructure to their property. This worksheet provides additional information and allows you to apply for a credit.
Reducing Non-Point Source Pollution
The City has constructed two major bioretention facilities along Canal Street in the Menomonee Valley. The facilities remove contaminants from stormwater before the flows are discharged into the Menomonee River.
Reducing Sewer Overflows
City departments are directed to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff from City properties by 15% and encourage businesses and residents to do the same. The Public Works facility on 35th and Capital manages its stormwater on-site in an attractive pond. In 2007, the Department of Public Works installed a green roof on the municipal building at 809 N. Broadway.
Reducing the Flow of Stormwater into Sewers
The City has funded a variety of projects to reduce the flow of stormwater into the sewer system, including downspout disconnections in targeted neighborhoods, foundation drain disconnections in public housing, and inlet restrictors on selected streets.
Increasing Native Plants
The City is also incorporating more native plants in boulevards and public green spaces. Native plants soak up more rain water and require less maintenance than non-native species.
Constructing Green Roofs & Rain Gardens
The City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District share the vision that green infrastructure is a very cost-effective approach for managing stormwater and improving the water quality of our lakes and rivers. The City has installed green roofs on its historic Central Library and Municipal Building.
Reducing Stormwater Runoff into Milwaukee Waterways
The use of bioretention to reduce stormwater runoff and increase on-site stormwater infiltration is incorporated into Green Street projects. These facilities function as filtration/infiltration devices. Roadway runoff enters the bioretention facilities where vegetative plantings filter pollutants and stormwater evaporates or infiltrates into the ground.
Green Street projects include:
- N. 92nd St. Greet St. - W. Capitol Dr. to W. Good Hope Rd.
- W. Grange Ave. Green St. - S. 19th St. to S. 27th St.
- N. 27th St. Green St. - W. Capitol Dr. to W. Roosevelt Dr.
BaseTern Prototypes for Holding More Water
The City of Milwaukee has explored cost effective and innovative approaches for managing stormwater to help neighborhoods be more resilient to extreme storm events. One approach that has been studied is the BaseTern, an underground stormwater management or rainwater harvesting structure created from the former basement of an abandoned home that has been slated for demolition. By using the existing basement cavity, the City saves on demolition costs of the old structure and the construction of the new one. The structure would be underground and covered with turf to fit safely within the neighborhood. The preliminary prototypes can hold as much water as 600 rain barrels.
Read the Feasibility Study and BaseTern FAQs.
Resources for the Community
Resources for Residents
Resources for Businesses
Stormwater Management Program: The Department of Public Works reviews and approves stormwater management plans submitted as required by Chapter 120 of the City of Milwaukee Code of Ordinances.
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Other resources:
