Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District: MMSD Commission authorizes independent, third-party performance audit

(MILWAUKEE)  – The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Commission today voted to authorize an independent, third-party audit of recent complaints regarding the performance of wastewater management in Milwaukee.

Veolia Water Milwaukee is a private company that operates and maintains the region’s water treatment system under a long-term contract with MMSD. The audit will include an examination of recent complaints related to maintenance of infrastructure and working conditions. The results of the audit will be communicated directly to the Commission. No members of MMSD management will be involved.

With today’s vote to authorize the audit, the Commission will begin evaluating qualified firms to perform the audit and will work to appoint an independent advisory committee to oversee the audit.

As discussed during today’s meeting, environmental firms with expertise in performance and compliance management will be invited to submit a formal proposal to serve as the requested independent auditor. Among the required qualifications are no direct conflicts of interest with either MMSD, Veolia, or Jacobs Engineering (who, along with Veolia, is participating in the two-year procurement process to operate and maintain the District’s infrastructure). The RFP will be publicly posted by June 12.

The Commission is also finalizing the formation of the independent advisory committee. This committee will include representatives with expertise in water public policy, municipal plant operations, and community engagement. All members of the independent advisory committee will also be required to clear conflict checks to ensure independence. The Commission anticipates announce the members of the independent advisory committee shortly.

“We are committed to continuing to meet the highest standards in wastewater treatment and ensuring full transparency with our community,” said MMSD Commission Chair Corey Zetts. “As the oversight board for MMSD, we are stewards of a vital utility that serves our entire community every day. An independent, third-party audit will help ensure an objective review of the facts and all relevant context.”

About MMSD

MMSD serves 423 square miles within six watersheds in wastewater treatment, flood management, and green infrastructure. Established by state law, MMSD is governed by eleven commissioners with taxing authority. MMSD serves twenty-nine communities in Wisconsin.

Since 1994, MMSD has captured and cleaned 98.4% of all wastewater in the service area, exceeding the common national benchmark of 85%. Since the Deep Tunnel System came online in 1993, MMSD has averaged 2.2 overflows per year, compared to 50 to 60 overflow events per year previously.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources measures the performance and compliance of wastewater treatment systems across the state through its Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR). MMSD’s system regularly receives some of the highest scores in the state. From 2014 through 2025, the average CMAR score was 3.99 for MMSD’s Jones Island facility and 3.88 for its South Shore facility on a 4.0 scale. Jones Island received a 4.0 score 11 times in the last 12 years, while South Shore received a 4.0 score 6 times in the last 12 years. This indicates that the facilities treat wastewater effectively and provide a high level of protection for local waterways and Lake Michigan.