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About Milwaukee Water Works

Who We Are

Milwaukee Water Works is a publicly owned utility operated by the City of Milwaukee. We provide safe, clean and reliable drinking water to nearly 950,000 people in 16 communities across Milwaukee, Ozaukee and Waukesha counties. Our teams operate, maintain and monitor the water system around the clock to support public health, homes, businesses and communities across the region.

Our Mission

We are committed to protecting and maintaining our water system for present and future generations, investing in our people, and delivering efficient, equitable, and reliable water service. Our focus is on providing high-quality drinking water while fostering trust, innovation, and public engagement.

How We Serve the Community

  • Source: Our water comes from Lake Michigan and is carefully monitored before treatment.
  • Treatment: Water is cleaned, filtered and disinfected to meet drinking water standards.
  • Delivery: Treated water is delivered through a regional network of pipes, pumps, valves and hydrants.
  • Monitoring: Water quality is tested throughout the system to help ensure safety and reliability.

Our Impact at a Glance

  • Population served: Over 866,000 residents.
  • Infrastructure: Nearly 2,000 miles of water mains, 19,889 hydrants, and 50,460 valves.
  • Daily water treatment: Over 250 million gallons delivered each day.
  • Employees: 345 across Plants, Distribution, Business, Engineering, and Water Quality.
  • Daily per-person water use in Milwaukee: 41 gallons.

Service Area

Milwaukee Water Works provides water service to both wholesale and retail customers across the region. Wholesale customers operate their own water utilities, bill customers and maintain their local distribution systems. Retail customers receive full water service from Milwaukee Water Works, including billing and maintenance.

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Wholesale Customers

MWW serves 11 wholesale customers:

  • Brown Deer

  • Butler
  • Greendale
  • Menomonee Falls
  • Mequon
  • New Berlin
  • Shorewood
  • Thiensville
  • Waukesha
  • Wauwatosa
  • West Allis
Retail Customers

MWW provides full water service, including billing and maintenance, to:

  • Greenfield
  • Hales Corners
  • St. Francis
  • Franklin (partial)
  • West Milwaukee (billing only; maintains its own distribution system)

View full-size service area map

Memberships

Milwaukee Water Works participates in professional and research organizations that support water quality, utility operations, infrastructure planning and public service.
American Water Works Association logo, MWW member AMWA logo, MWW member
Water Research Foundation logo, MWW member Wisconsin Section of AWWA logo, MWW member
U.S. Water Alliance logo, MWW member  

History & Milestones

  • Founded: April 18, 1871
  • Operations began: September 14, 1874
  • Longest continuously operating water utility in Wisconsin.
  • Historic recognition: Linnwood Plant and North Point Water Tower designated Water Landmarks.
  • Ongoing investments: Over $500 million invested in infrastructure since the 1993 Cryptosporidium crisis to ensure safe, reliable water.