With Baldwin’s Support, Milwaukee Receives $42M EPA Loan to Reduce Flooding in Underserved Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $42 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan to Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) to expand storm water management capacity and reduce flood risks. Senator Tammy Baldwin offered a letter of support for the project.

“As we work to improve the health and safety of Wisconsin’s waterways, we must not only be responsible stewards for the environment, but also the vulnerable homes and businesses that are too often impacted by flooding,” said Senator Baldwin. “I was proud to support MMSD’s loan application and am pleased to see Milwaukee was awarded this support to reduce the risk of flood damage for historically underserved communities, as well as address sewage overflows. These funds will help build resilience and lessen the impact of severe storms.”

This investment will help fund the Waterway Flood Management and Restoration Project and will expand storm water management capacity and reduce flood risk in historically underserved communities. MMSD’s Waterway Flood Management and Restoration Project will improve storm water management using traditional and green infrastructure solutions. This investment will reduce flood risk to hundreds of residential and commercial buildings while decreasing sewer overflows. Incorporating green infrastructure will result in more green spaces and mitigate urban heat island effects, helping to increase environmental justice across neighborhoods.

EPA’s $42 million WIFIA loan will finance nearly half of the $85 million project. MMSD and its ratepayers will save approximately $5.5 million with low-cost WIFIA financing. Project construction and operation are expected to create an estimated 130 jobs and construction is expected to be completed in 2027. This WIFIA loan is the first of three under MMSD’s WIFIA Master Agreement.