Greetings:

Happy spring! At the district, 2018 has begun with steps forward in water education planning and a continued focus on reducing chloride contributions to the sewer. This edition of the pollution prevention update newsletter includes resources that you can use in your community to educate residents and promote pollution reduction actions this spring and beyond.

You can view past pollution prevention newsletters on our municipal pollution prevention webpage, which also includes additional resources for your pollution prevention efforts. Please let us know if there is a resource you are not seeing there that you would find helpful!

As always, we're happy to answer your questions. You can contact us at 608-222-1201 or email [email protected].

Best regards,

Emily Jones & Catherine Harris
Pollution Prevention Specialists, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District
Pollution Prevention Resources for Your Community
2018 Salt Reduction Rebates
& 2018 Innovation Grant Updates
The district is continuing to offer funding for projects that reduce salt to the sewer system, helping the district meet targets for chloride compliance. Current funding opportunities are available on the district's chloride reduction grants page.

Spread the word about these programs in your community. Encourage your utility customers who use large amounts of softener salt (typically business, industrial, and multi-family) to apply for a Salt Reduction Rebate. This funding is intended for large salt users, like businesses, apartments, or other facilities that can reduce over 100 pounds of salt per month through softener upgrades, process changes, or efficiency improvements.

  • You can paste text from this SAMPLE LETTER onto your municipal letterhead to notify large water users in your community about this rebate opportunity.

Additional chloride-related resources to help your community reduce sources of salt available in the December 2017 edition of this newsletter.
Pollution Prevention News
Happy World Water Day!

 Thursday, March 22, 2018 marks the observance of World Water Day , designated by the U.N. to draw attention to the importance of water.

Tonight, the district is hosting a program that highlights how the district uses "answers found in nature" in its processes. The district is hosting a public tour of its LEED Platinum Certified Building, and a special presentation by guest speakers who will provide a history of the district's biosolids program and its relationship to natural areas near the treatment plant. Retired Operations Manager Paul Nehm and Friends of Capital Springs Recreation Area Naturalist Coordinator Clare Carlson will talk about the history of the MMSD lagoons and their transformation from a Superfund site to reconstructed wetlands that serve as a wildlife observation area as part of the Capital Springs Recreation Area.

Take part in MMSD's free event in celebration of this day by registering online.

MMSD Staff Win Scholarship; Host Wisconsin Water Thinkers
The district is in the early stages of developing public education programming, and this year has already seen two events at the district related to education. Early this year, MMSD Pollution Prevention staff were awarded the LIFT SEE IT Scholarship to research strategies and tools used by other treatment plants around the country, for community education and outreach.

On March 13, MMSD hosted the WI Water Thinkers Network Gathering. The Water Thinkers Network consists of educators and outreach specialists who develop programs around deep thinking to solve some of the world's most difficult water problems. Participants toured the facility, shared experiences and ideas around water education programs, and enjoyed a keynote speech delivered by Chief Engineer and Director Michael Mucha on the topic of One Water.
Spring Cleaning?
Pollution Prevention Content for your Newsletters
The district has several key messages for individuals to reduce pollution and protect water. Our pollution prevention flier includes messages for residents to reduce salt pollution, safely dispose of medications, and keep hazardous waste and non-flushable materials out of the drain.

If you're putting together newsletters or other information for your community's residents this spring, please feel free to use this flier or its text as a pollution prevention message in your communications. As your residents are spring cleaning, this information can help them keep hazardous and polluting household wastes out of our waters.
New WI Salt Wise Website!
If you haven't already, take a moment to check out the newly redesigned WI Salt Wise website. It features resources, case studies and action items to reduce salt in and around buildings. You can also link to this website from your municipal website to point residents to information about proper salt use.

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