Senior Project Manager Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD)
MMSD’s conveyance system uses gravity overflow outfalls to provide relief during large rain events. High lake or river levels, like those that occurred in 2020, must be overcome for overflow to occur. This increase in HGL at the outfall can propagate through the system potentially causing a cascade of problems. MMSD’s conveyance system is unique for many reasons providing challenges and opportunities. It receives flow from both combined and separated sewer areas, Lake Michigan water levels are not tidal, and the hilly areas in parts of the service area provide gravity flow conditions and a system with few pumps. The project described in this presentation looks at using the existing infrastructure to provide relief to the system when gravity is not enough to overflow without causing problems. MMSD is planning for when, not if, large rainfall events coincide with another period of high lake levels.
