The Milwaukee Water Works is a national leader in providing safe, high-quality drinking water. The finished water is distributed to an estimated 830,000 residents of Milwaukee and 15 other communities in the metropolitan area meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards.
Each year, the Water Works annually tests Lake Michigan water and fully treated water for more than 500 potential contaminants while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires tests for just 91. Monitoring water quality cost $1.2 million in 2012. Monitoring of un-regulated chemicals and organisms is done as a precaution to ensure the water is safe, Couillard.
Multiple steps in the water treatment process are barriers that prevent contaminants from reaching household taps. Treatment begins with ozone, the primary disinfectant capable of killing parasites, including Cryptosporidium. Ozone water treatment also destroys harmful compounds as well as substances that could cause taste and odor problems. Particles are removed in filters before chlorine is added as a secondary disinfectant to prevent growth of bacteria and other potentially harmful microorganisms in water mains.