Press Releases

Yahara WINS partnership awarded 2018 U.S. Water Prize by U.S. Water Alliance

MADISON, Wis. – The Yahara Watershed Improvement Network has been awarded the prestigious U.S. Water Prize by the U.S. Water Alliance in recognition of the southcentral Wisconsin group’s groundbreaking approach to improving water quality. Awarded on an annual basis, the U.S. Water Prize celebrates outstanding achievement in the advancement of sustainable, integrated and inclusive solutions to our nation’s water challenges. Yahara WINS earned the U.S. Water Prize in the U.S. Water Alliance’s cross-sector partnership or coalition category for its collaborative approach to improving water quality.

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Inspection identifies sewer overflow that occurred in conjunction with recent flooding on Madison’s near west side

MADISON, WIS. – A Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District crew conducting inspections in the wake of heavy precipitation during the weekend of June 16-17 late Wednesday documented a manhole on Madison’s near west side that produced an overflow of diluted wastewater into Lake Wingra. The manhole, in the UW–Madison Arboretum southwest of Arbor Drive, had its cover tilted slightly and evidence of flow exiting the manhole included bent grass and debris extending to the elevated shoreline of the lake approximately 30 feet away.

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Saturday BioBlitz at Lake Farm County Park to showcase local species

MADISON, Wis. – If you’re interested in birds, bees, beasts or biology, you’ll want to join in the fun at the BioBlitz on Saturday, June 23 at Lake Farm County Park near Madison as nearly 100 scientists from across the United States gather to conduct an intensive survey of the plants and animals in the surrounding 1,000-acre wildlife area. The event, free and open to the public, runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is being hosted by Milwaukee Public Museum with partners Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District,

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Public comment sought on route alternatives for new northeast Madison sewer line

Neighborhood meeting set for May 30 at Sandburg Elementary MADISON, WIS. – Four different routes are under consideration for a sanitary sewer system construction project on the city’s northeast side and Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District is inviting the public to weigh in on the alternatives at a public meeting May 30 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Carl Sandburg Elementary School. The Northeast Interceptor-Truax Extension project, which will run from the intersection of Thierer Road and Lien Road to the intersection of Highway 51 and Rieder Road,

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Grants, business training available as District pushes for salt reductions

MADISON, Wis. – Grant money and an upcoming training session are among the ways Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District is working with area businesses to reduce salt use to use this as a test. Up to $200,000 in grants is available through the end of 2018 and a workshop for businesses will be held May 30 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the District’s Maintenance Facility to share best practices on smart salt use. To meet Clean Water Act permit requirements and keep sewer bills low,

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Yahara WINS partnership offers project grants to reduce phosphorus pollution

MADISON, WI – The Yahara Watershed Improvement Network partnership is now offering grants for  2018 to fund projects that will reduce algae-feeding phosphorus pollution in local waterways. Yahara WINS has included a total of $60,000 in its 2018 budget for grants to municipalities and organizations to implement projects that reduce the amount of phosphorus entering nearby water bodies. Projects funded by Yahara WINS may reduce any source of phosphorus, including agricultural runoff and urban stormwater. “Practices to reduce urban and rural runoff are cost-effective solutions to phosphorus pollution in our waters,” said Martin Griffin,

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