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STORM UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 13, 2019

09/18/19 11:18:am

The following information is being reported to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, regarding sewer overflows the took place last week.

To reduce the risk of basement backups, MMSD initiated a combined sewer overflow on 9-13-19 after intense storms dropped more rain on already saturated ground.
Numerous rain gauges measured 1.5 to 2 inches of rain between midnight and 1:30 a.m. with more rain falling after that time period.
At one point, the Deep Tunnel filled at a rate of 7.5 billion gallons per day, which, if sustained, would have filled the tunnel to its maximum capacity of 432 million gallons in 83 minutes.

The volume of the combined sewer overflow from September 13 and 14, 2019 is estimated at 282 million gallons. An isolated separate sewer overflow also occurred during the storm, estimated at a volume of 41,000 gallons. Further details can be found in the letters below.

With two combined sewer overflows in 2019, MMSD's has captured and cleaned 99% of all the water and wastewater that's entered the regional sewer system. 

MMSD’s six-year financial plan calls for investing $1.4 billion into the regional sewer system and water reclamation facilities (including debt service to pay for previous projects).

5-Day CSO Letter
5-Day SSO Letter 
Impacted Waters

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How Can You Help Manage Water Where if Falls and Reduce Sewer Overflows?

Water Drop Alert

Text: WATERDROP to 797979

Receive Water Drop Alert text message when large storms threaten the area. When a Water Drop Alert has been issued a reminder is sent to use less water until the storm passes. 

What do you do when an alert is issued?
Try to use less water until the storm passes.

  • Hold off on washing dishes and laundry
  • Take a shorter shower 
Rain Check

Rain Check

Help keep water out of your home, reduce water pollution and save money during heavy rains by conducting a home audit, inside and out. Rain Check can help you identify and correct potential problems that could lead to water damage and more. By managing water where it falls, we can all help reduce the risk of basement backups and water pollution.

Rain barrel in a yard

Install a Rain Barrel

Get FREE water by the barrel from your roof and use it when it’s dry outside to use in your landscape.  Rain barrels help keep excess water out of the sewer system and help reduce water pollution and sewer overflows.