2024 MMSD Annual Performance Report

03/13/25 09:00:am

Message From Executive Director Kevin Shafer

In 2024, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) delivered a range of noteworthy operational results, projects, and programs to support a more vibrant, resilient, and sustainable region. MMSD further demonstrated our organization’s commitment to a healthy Milwaukee region and a cleaner Lake Michigan. This 2024 Annual Performance Report serves as the final report under the 2022-2024 Strategic Plan and demonstrates continued progress toward achieving the goals set forth in MMSD’s 2035 Vision.

The guiding principles of the 2035 Vision are a sustainable bottom line and water quality leadership and collaboration. Within these principles are objectives for integrated watershed management and climate change adaptation/mitigation with a focus on energy efficiency.

2024 MMSD Accomplishments:

In preparation for the expiration of MMSD’s Operation and Maintenance contract in 2028, MMSD issued a request for qualifications. Three firms responded to this request, and all three were deemed qualified. Looking forward to 2025, MMSD will develop a new contract for these services and issue a Request for Proposals.
Staff completed an outside review of MMSD staff salaries.
MMSD worked with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to gain an exemption from the Clean Water Fund Loan program's Buy American, Build American requirement, saving ratepayers approximately $11.5 million in financing costs.
An Oracle Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning system was implemented, replacing the current system, which is approaching obsolescence and providing opportunities for efficiency improvements to business processes.
MMSD expanded the Fresh Coast Ambassadors program, with 17 participants completing the training program.
Operational performance was exceptional in 2024, with only one combined sewer overflow of 357 million gallons, resulting in a capture rate of 99.52%.
100% compliance with MMSD’s operating permit.
MMSD worked with Veolia Water Milwaukee to identify sources for treatment challenges at the South Shore Water Reclamation Facility.
MMSD completed the first phase of the South Shore Aeration Basin Upgrade project, which will replace aged facilities and equipment while significantly improving the energy efficiency of this vital treatment process.
MMSD’s Greenseams® Program, which preserves critical floodplain areas, saw increased participation in 2024, with 12 properties preserved.
Finally, MMSD constructed 154 million gallons of additional natural stormwater storage capacity.

I encourage you to read further in this report and learn more about MMSD’s achievements over the past year and how its goals drive the region towards continued success. As always, we welcome your feedback.

Be Safe. Be Understanding. Be Kind.

Kevin L. Shafer, P.E.
Executive Director - Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District