ABOUT MMSD

MMSD is the governmental agency that cleans dirty water after we've used it in our homes, schools, and businesses so that it can be recycled and reused.  We also help to control flooding from creeks and streams in our neighborhoods.  Over 1 million people who live in 28 different communities within a 420 square mile area depend on us for these services.

We operate 2 water reclamation facilities where wastewater is treated and released back into Lake Michigan. The process is called wastewater treatment.  A lot of waste products are left over from the treatment process.  So that we avoid sending it all to a landfill, we recycle some of it into a golf course, lawn, and garden fertilizer called Milorganite®.

MMSD has other responsibilities too that include water quality research and testing; collecting hazardous materials like household chemicals and paints, mercury-containing products, and old medicine to keep them out of our waterways.  Setting guidelines and monitoring local industries and the toxic substances they use is another important job we perform.