Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 67.68
Liaison John Gardner
Submission Date May 31, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
OP-28: Wastewater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.00 / 1.00 John Gardner
Sustainability Planning & Policy Analyst
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total wastewater discharged:
120,390,606.18 Gallons

Wastewater naturally handled:
0 Gallons

A brief description of the natural wastewater systems used to handle the institution’s wastewater:

MMSD (Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District) uses 4 stages to clean wastewater and uses large-scale processes that mimic nature to produce Milorganite.

Wastewater enters the Jones Island water reclamation facility where all solid materials such as sand, boards, shop rags, plastic and debris are first removed. Microbes are added to the water—the activation process—and oxygen is bubbled through the water to create the ideal environment for microbes to digest the nutrients in the water.

The microbes die after they consume all of the nutrients. Binding agents are added to the water causing the microbes to clump together and settle to the bottom of the undisturbed water in sedimentation tanks. After everything has settled the cleaned water is returned to Lake Michigan and the microbe clumps are sent on for dewatering and drying.

Moisture is first squeezed out of the clumps using belt presses resulting in something similar to wet cardboard. The semi-solid material moves on to 12 rotary kiln driers heated to 900–1200⁰F. The extreme heat kills pathogens.

Product samples are thoroughly tested 18-20 times every day to ensure Milorganite complies with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for protecting human health and the environment. After passing all tests, it’s ready to be packaged and shipped throughout North America.


The website URL where information about the institution’s wastewater management practices is available:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.