Water Quality Monitoring Program
Safe, Clean Drinking Water for Everyone We Serve
Milwaukee Water Works (MWW) provides safe, high-quality drinking water that meets or exceeds all state and federal standards. We go above and beyond required testing to make sure your water is clean, safe, and reliable.
Going Above Requirements
- MWW tests for more than 500 possible contaminants, even though the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires testing for just 91.
- We check for both regulated and unregulated substances, including emerging contaminants like Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and certain chemicals that other utilities may not test for yet.
- Continuous monitoring takes place at our plants, along 2,000 miles of water mains, and in water leaving the plants.
How Your Water is Treated:
1. Ozone Disinfection: We add ozone gas to kill harmful germs and improve the water’s taste and smell.
2. Clumping Particles Together: A treatment is added to help tiny particles stick together so they are easier to remove.
3. Settling: The clumped particles sink to the bottom and are removed from the water.
4. Filtration: Water is filtered through layers of coal and sand to remove any remaining small particles.
5. Chlorine Disinfection: A small amount of chlorine is added to kill any remaining germs.
6. Fluoride Addition: Fluoride is added at safe levels to help prevent tooth decay.
7. Storage: Clean water is stored in underground tanks until it is needed.
8. Pipe Protection: A treatment is added to help protect pipes and reduce the chance of lead or copper getting into the water.
9. Long-Lasting Protection: Chlorine is adjusted to stay in the water longer, helping keep it safe as it travels to your home.
Protecting Public Health
MWW works closely with the City of Milwaukee Health Department through the Interagency Clean Water Advisory Council, sharing data and responding quickly to any potential concerns. This partnership is nationally recognized as a model for protecting public health.
A Long History of Investment and Leadership
Since the 1993 Cryptosporidium outbreak, MWW has made hundreds of millions of dollars in upgrades to treatment facilities, water mains, pumping stations, and monitoring systems. We were among the first U.S. utilities to:
- Post emerging contaminant testing results online for public review.
- Monitor for substances like endocrine-disrupting compounds and certain pharmaceuticals.
- Meet federal water safety standards years ahead of deadlines.
We continue to invest in our system, our technology, and our people so that Milwaukee can count on safe, clean water every day.
Customer Service Center
For billing and related questions:
24-Hour Control Center
For water emergencies only:
414-286-5452 (Fax)
Zeidler Municipal Building, 841 N. Broadway, Room 406, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:45 PM