Milwaukee's Water Treatment Facilities Maintain City's Vital Cleanup Operation

MMSD's Jones Island and South Shore plants, operated by Veolia, are critical to the region's wastewater management.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:04am

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The Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewerage District (MMSD) operates two major water reclamation facilities in the Milwaukee area - the Jones Island plant in Milwaukee and the South Shore plant in Oak Creek. These facilities, run by global water management company Veolia, are essential to the city's wastewater treatment and environmental cleanup efforts, processing millions of gallons of water each day.

Why it matters

Milwaukee's water infrastructure is a vital part of the region's environmental sustainability and public health. The MMSD plants help remove pollutants, treat wastewater, and return clean water to Lake Michigan, supporting the city's ecosystem and providing drinking water. As the facilities approach their 100th anniversary, their continued operation by an experienced partner like Veolia is crucial.

The details

The Jones Island Water Reclamation Facility in Milwaukee and the South Shore Water Reclamation Facility in Oak Creek are the two main wastewater treatment plants operated by MMSD. Veolia Water Milwaukee LLC has maintained and operated these facilities for MMSD under a long-term contract. The plants use advanced treatment processes to remove contaminants, treat over 200 million gallons of wastewater per day, and return clean water to Lake Michigan.

  • The Jones Island facility was established over 100 years ago in 1925.
  • Veolia has operated the MMSD plants under contract since 2016.

The players

Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewerage District (MMSD)

The regional government agency responsible for wastewater management and water quality improvement in the Milwaukee metropolitan area.

Veolia Water Milwaukee LLC

A subsidiary of the global water management company Veolia, which has operated and maintained the MMSD's water reclamation facilities since 2016 under a long-term contract.

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What they’re saying

“The Jones Island and South Shore facilities are critical pieces of infrastructure that help keep our waterways clean and our communities healthy.”

— Kevin Shafer, Executive Director, MMSD

What’s next

MMSD is currently in the process of evaluating bids for a new 10-year operations and maintenance contract for the Jones Island and South Shore facilities, with a decision expected by the end of 2026.

The takeaway

Milwaukee's water treatment plants, operated by an experienced global partner, are essential to the region's environmental sustainability and public health by removing pollutants, treating wastewater, and returning clean water to Lake Michigan. As these facilities approach a century of service, their continued reliable operation remains crucial.