Milwaukee Turns Stormwater Into a Citywide Solution

Milwaukee’s $3.4M green infrastructure push transforms stormwater management and sets a model for resilient cities

4 Nov 2025

Milwaukee is overhauling how it manages rainfall through a $3.4mn programme led by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, which aims to convert stormwater from an urban hazard into a resource.

Announced in late 2025, the initiative brings together public agencies, local governments, developers and non-profit groups to address flooding and water pollution made worse by increasingly intense storms across the Midwest.

The district will fund 11 projects across southeastern Wisconsin designed to capture and filter more than 4.2mn gallons of water during each major rainfall. Measures include green roofs, rain gardens and permeable pavements intended to reduce runoff and ease pressure on ageing sewer systems.

Kevin Shafer, the district’s executive director, described the plan as “a partnership built on shared responsibility and innovation,” adding that communities were “active co-creators” in shaping cleaner and safer neighbourhoods. Environmental analysts said the effort could serve as a model for climate adaptation in other US cities.

Nationwide, investment in green infrastructure is changing both environmental and construction practices. Demand is rising for firms skilled in ecological design, while traditional contractors face pressure to adapt to sustainability standards. Observers say Milwaukee’s approach could encourage similar public–private alliances elsewhere.

The success of such projects, however, depends on long-term maintenance and data collection to demonstrate cost-effectiveness. District officials argue the wider benefits, including reduced flooding, improved air and water quality, and cooler urban areas, justify the investment.

If the targets are met, Milwaukee will strengthen its resilience to climate extremes while redefining urban stormwater management for other midwestern cities to follow.