Tree planting event at New Testament Church with MMSD's Greenseams program.

environmental justice

MMSD's Commitment to Environmental Justice

Our commitment is to a future where every community benefits from safe, reliable, and sustainable wastewater treatment and flood management. At the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), we believe environmental justice is a fundamental right.

MMSD defines environmental justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, and incomes and believes that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of environmental or fiscal consequences and where we all share the benefits resulting from the MMSD’s operations, programs, and policies.

We are dedicated to ensuring equitable and inclusive participation of all communities, irrespective of race, socioeconomic status, or geographic location, in the planning and implementation of our work.

The health of our neighborhoods is foundational to our region's overall well-being, and environmental justice is central to that health. Through the following principles, MMSD aims to protect the environment while also directly improving the quality of life in the communities we serve.

Inclusive and Meaningful Engagement: We actively involve communities, listening to their concerns and ensuring their voices are heard and respected. We engage residents and businesses in culturally appropriate ways for decisions impacting their communities.
Equitable Resource Allocation: We prioritize investments in infrastructure and services for historically marginalized communities and those most vulnerable to flooding and wastewater challenges.
Informed and Transparent Actions: We make decisions with a deep understanding of the communities we serve, ensuring transparent communication about our projects and policies and regularly updating the public on our progress.
Health and Safety: We are dedicated to preventing and mitigating health risks associated with inadequate wastewater management and flooding, ensuring clean water and safe environments for all.
Sustainable Practices: We implement sustainable and resilient solutions that address immediate concerns and contribute to long-term environmental and community health.
Equitable Treatment: We ensure no group bears a disproportionate share of negative consequences from our actions, providing value to communities affected by our activities.

Students planting trees at their school.
Installing a rain barrel in our community.
Environmental education with students.
Installing a rain garden in our community.
Community clean-up event.

Through these actions and working in partnership with the diverse communities MMSD serves, we can create a more just and equitable environment for everyone.

Additional information can be found in MMSD's Comprehensive Environmental Management Policy, which outlines our environmental management practices, including requirements, environmental justice standards, sustainability measures, and climate change adaptation.