Check out these headlines from around the South Shore …
- Multiple Chiefs Decide to Hang it up in Recent Months (Oak Creek Patch)
- Public Hearing in Sturtevant for Waukesha’s Water Request (Oak Creek Patch)
- South Suburbs Consider Concealed Carry Law’s Impact (Franklin NOW)
- Introducing: The South Suburban Young Professionals! (Oak Creek Patch Local Voices blog)
- Superweek Pro Tour South Shore Cyclery Classic Thursday in Cudahy (Bay View Compass)
And because I don’t know of any kids reading my blog, there is this, er, revealing interview with a South Milwaukee High School graduate turned porn star by OnMilwaukee.com.
South Milwaukee Blog 
Regarding the sale of water to Waukesha, I seem to recall the need to raise South Milwaukee’s water rates to cover the decline of water use in the city. To offset this increase in cost, has the sale of South Milwaukee’s water to Waukesha been considered and if not, why? If we have excess capacity, why not try to sell it to increase revenue without increasing rates (or increasing rates less)?
Indeed, there was a water rate increase in South Milwaukee last year due in part to declining usage (and, among other factors, some mandated upgrades to the water plant completed in the last couple of years). I have asked about the potential of South Milwaukee selling water to Waukesha, etc. and I remember being told it simply wouldn’t work logistically. That said, our rates remain competitive with other area communities, even with the increase. And we maintain our independence as a water utility — something I support.
Thanks for the quick reply. I suppose the next logical question would be why doesn’t it work logistically (and why would it work logistically for someplace like Oak Creek)? Although there may be a valid reason, in my experience, sometimes when someone says it can’t be done, it may be that they just don’t WANT to do it. If it would result in a cost savings, I believe it should be investigated. I agree with your stance on water and sewage independence as I’m against joining forces with the city of Milwaukee.
I honestly can’t recall why it wouldn’t work, as it’s been a while since I asked. I will ask again and see why it wasn’t feasible (or cost effective, for both us and Waukesha).
Just wondering if you were able to find out the reason why South Milwaukee is unable to sell water?
Working on getting you a formal answer shortly … stay tuned. Thanks for following up.
Here is that answer, quoting directly from an email from Water Superintendent Doug Fischer: “In order for us to get water to Waukesha we would need to run a pipeline through multiple cities, of which they would not let us do. Our plant is rated at 6 million gallons per day and I believe Waukesha is looking for 10 million gallons per day. Currently we only have an excess of 2 million gallons per day. The 2 million isn’t going to do them much good.” I agree.
Thanks for the response.