FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2017
The Great Water Alliance, a new program designed to carry fresh water from Lake Michigan, treat it, and return the same amount, is hosting community open houses regarding the pipeline alignments June 27, 28, and 29, 2017. The public is encouraged to attend this first series of meetings, meet project team members, review return flow route alternatives, and discuss the program.
“This is the next step in providing Waukesha’s 71,000 residents with a clean, reliable, and sustainable drinking water source,” said Mayor Shawn Reilly. “We’ve been meeting with the leaders of our partner communities and want those who reside or do business in those communities to know more about our proposed plans for constructing these pipelines and how they may affect them.”
Under terms unanimously approved by the eight Great Lakes governors and two Canadian premiers, Waukesha may access up to 8.2 million gallons a day of drinking water from Lake Michigan and return the same amount to the lake.
Current plans call for constructing a pipeline to carry Lake Michigan water through the communities of Franklin, Muskego, and New Berlin to Waukesha for use as the city’s water supply. A second pipeline will return treated water from Waukesha’s Clean Water Plant to an outfall point in Franklin that empties into the Root River, ultimately flowing back to Lake Michigan.
Three route alternatives are being considered. Construction is expected to begin in early 2020 with completion in 2023.
The open houses are scheduled for:
• Franklin: Tuesday, June 27: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Hunger Task Force Farm, 9000 S. 68th Street
• Muskego: Wednesday, June 28: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Muskego High School, Room 243, W185S8750 Racine Avenue
• New Berlin: Thursday, June 29: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at New Berlin Public Library – Community Room, 15105 W. Library Lane
“The open houses are intended to allow residents to learn more, ask questions and provide comments to the water utility and its program engineering partners,” said Dan Duchniak, General Manager of the Waukesha Water Utility.
Residents can examine maps of the three alternative routes and offer comments, learn more about why Waukesha is making use of Lake Michigan as its drinking water source, and how the highly treated water will improve the health of the Root River.
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Duchniak, P.E.
(262) 409-4440 w / (262) 352-5142 c
dduchniak@waukesha-water.com