Safeguarding the Sale of Public Water Works

This past summer Milwaukee Riverkeeper helped form a coalition called KPOW (Keep Public Our Water) that stopped the City of Milwaukee's move to privatize the water works.

Due to its continued efforts, both the Wisconsin State Legislature and the Milwaukee Common Council have introduced laws to ensure public ownership of Milwaukee's Water Works.

State Senator Sullivan's Bill (attached) : Similar to Rep. Kessler's bill introduced over the summer, Sen. Sullivan's bill is intended to guard against bad water leases in Milwaukee. The two bills are different however.  Kessler's bill bans outright such a lease; Sen. Sullivan's bill does not ban such a lease, however it adds the additional hurdle the lease would also have to be approved by the state senate (but not the Assembly).

Please call your WI State Senator (find yours here) and tell them to support Senator Sullivan's Bill.

Milwaukee Common Council Bill (available here) : The resolution was introduced by Alderman Kovac and co-sponsored by Aldermen Dudzik, Wade and Davis.  It expresses support for the City of Milwaukee's continued ownership and operation of the Milwaukee Water Works as a public entity, and the City's intent that this water utility will not be privatized in any manner.

Please call your local alderman and urge them to support this resolution.  You can find the alderman for your district here.

*The next stage is for the resolution to be scheduled in Committee, which could occur in December or in early 2010.

(to read how water privatization could mean a higher water bill click here)