Freshwater Research & Technology

Fresh water is quickly becoming the petroleum of the 21^st century.  Globally, water consumption is doubling every 20 years, more than two times world population growth.  It’s estimated that about one-third of the global population will not have access to adequate drinking water by 2025.  The water shortage is not only impacting parts of the world like Australia and China, but also right here in the United States in cities like Atlanta and Las Vegas.

Our region lies on the shores of the greatest single source of fresh water on the planet, the Great Lakes.  Lake Michigan, the only Great Lake entirely encompassed by U.S. lands, is a focal point for scientific research and economic development in the Milwaukee Region.

The Milwaukee Region has one of the highest concentrations of water-related companies in the country, with more than 120 firms involved in water-related businesses.  Five of the world's 11 largest water-technology companies have a significant presence in southeastern Wisconsin: Veolia Water, ITT Corp., Pentair, GE Water & Process Technologies, and Siemens.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Great Lakes Water Institute is the largest research center of its kind on the Great Lakes, engaging in pioneering scientific research, knowledge transfer and outreach while serving as a national center for innovative freshwater education and training.  The university is also creating a graduate-level School of Freshwater Sciences, the first and only of its kind in the United States.

The new Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin on Milwaukee's lakefront connects innovation, science and technology with exploration, the environment and Great Lakes freshwater resources through interactive exhibits and learning programs.  The S/V Denis Sullivan, a 137-foot re-creation of a three-masted, 19th century Great Lakes schooner, summers next to Discovery World and serves as an educational platform and scientific research vessel.

Water Council - www.milwaukee7-watercouncil.org

The Milwaukee 7 Water Council, co-chaired by Rich Meeusen, CEO of Badger Meter, Inc. and Paul Jones, CEO of A.O. Smith Corp., is working to align the regional freshwater research community and water-related industries to establish the Milwaukee Region as the global capital for freshwater research, economic development and education. 

This large concentration of water-related businesses combined with the region's outstanding academic and research institutions create a powerful platform for knowledge transfer and product development focused on freshwater management.

The Water Council is using this strong base to advance water-related industry, research and business opportunities.  It is also focusing on outreach to water companies looking to move into the area. The Council hosted a Water Summit at The Pilot House at Pier Wisconsin on Milwaukee’s lakefront on July 14, 2008.  More than 200 researchers, engineers, business owners, entrepreneurs and civic representatives convened to discuss freshwater issues and the solutions and opportunities the region can address.  The Summit featured Fred Dubee, Senior Advisor of the UN Global Compact, as the keynote speaker.  The next Water Summit will take place on July 20, 2009.