MMSD: Green Infrastructure Partnership Program

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District's Green Infrastructure Partnership Program offers incentive funding on a per-gallon captured, reimbursement basis for a range of green infrastructure strategies installed on private property (and public non-utility property) designed to capture and clean rainwater where it falls. Eligible green infrastructure strategies include:

• Constructed wetlands
• Native landscaping
• Porous pavement
• Rain barrels
• Cisterns
• Stormwater trees
• Rain gardens
• Green roofs
• Soil amendments

MMSD competitively scores applications  based on criteria focused on the applicant's ability and commitment to implement, maintain, and promote the project. Accepted projects enter into a conservation easement with the utility to ensure the green infrastructure is operated and maintained going forward. Click here to download a copy of MMSD's conservation easement.

Currently, MMSD pays for this program out of their operating budget. The utility did, however, consider using bond proceeds to finance financial incentives for private property green infrastructure installations. MMSD's decision not to debt-finance was based, at least in part, on the fact that it had sufficient cash in its operating budget to fund the program although the utility is aware that using bond proceeds is an option. To read MMSD's bond counsel opinion on this issue click here.

To read more about MMSD's successes in deploying widespread localized water infrastructure you can find their Tap into Resilience case study here. You can learn about about the Green Infrastructure Partnership Program here.