Milwaukee: Water Hub Serving the World

"We live in a world where a child dies every 20 seconds from lack of fresh water," says Rich Meeusen, the Milwaukee Waters Council's co-founder and co-chair.  "Part of the solution to that problem is technology."

Milwaukee numbers among the world's most significant hubs for water research and industry.  Within an 11-county area around Milwaukee there are 194 water-related companies.  The Milwaukee Water Council began when a handful of these business leaders recognized the abundance of large water-tech companies that supply systems to purify, reuse, pump and conserve water; all of which called the metro region home.

Now, Milwaukee will make a huge splash in its quest to become the world's Silicone Valley of freshwater research and technology when the Global Water Center opens this month.  The first-of-its-kind facility will house water-related research facilities for universities, existing water-related companies and accelerator space for new, emerging water-related companies.  The facility will be a venue for attracting and creating new businesses in the water industry, and will address key local and global water-quality technology and policy issues.

The Global Water Center will feature an array of high-tech equipment, much of which is available to be used by all tenants.  It is home to a state-of-the-art flow lab, a lecture hall, an international video conferencing room, research and development facilities, a cafe lounge and a gallery space to showcase different global water issues. 

Milwaukee will celebrate Water Week with a variety of activities including tours of the Jones Island Water Reclamation Facility, discussions on hydraulic fracturing and of course the grand opening of the Global Water Center on Thursday, September 12, 2013.

Learn More about the Global Water Center