Think Green

The Brown Deer Water Utility would like to stress upon our citizens the importance of thinking about taking the extra step towards preserving our community.

There are several different ways in which you can do simple thinks to try and reduce the stress on the environment by the ways in which you use and channel your water consumption.

In the following, you will find helpful hints as well as links to provide you with information on ideas the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) has for you to help the environment!

5 Easy Ways to Reduce Water Consumption

1. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth, this can save 4 gallons a minute! (For a family of four that's 200 gallon per week and 10,400 gallons per year)
2. Cook food in as little water as possible. This will also retain more of the nutrients.
3. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons of water every time
4. Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and can save 140 gallons per week
5. Only water the lawn when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it's time to water.

Check out the MMSD website for more information on how to conserve water in your kitchen, bathroom, school, and outside!

Use a Rain Barrel

Rain barrels help slow down rain runoff so it can drain naturally into the ground. That helps us keep excess water out of sewer systems and keeps rain runoff from collecting pollutants on its trip to nearby waterways. Collected rainwater is better for plants because it's not chlorinated although it is mildly acidic, which helps plants take up important minerals from the soil. They can provide water during dry weather, or you can set them to slowly release the water over a 1 to 2 day period when the rains have subsided. The slower release of rain will allow the water to seep into the soil and be used by plants. For more information, visit the Rain Barrels page!

Plant a Rain Garden

Rain gardens, quite simply, are gardens that soak up rain from your roof, driveway, sidewalk or yard. They are slightly different from your typical flower garden. Rain gardens are planted with wild flowers and deep-rooted native vegetation, which helps the ground soak up more water. They are typically placed near downspouts on a home to capture water, so the runoff can gradually soak into the ground.

By directing the water into the ground, we're protecting our rivers and lakes from pollution while cleaning stormwater at the same time. Rain gardens provide the following benefits:

• They help reduce the amount of water that runs off your yard and into the sewer system, cutting down on the risk of sewer overflows and basement backups.
• Rain gardens prevent stormwater from picking up pollution as it washes across yards, driveways and parking lots on the way to the nearest river or lake.
• Plants, roots, soils and sand from your garden cleanse and purify stormwater as it soaks into the ground.
• Rain gardens can help recharge drinking water supplies and aquifers.
• They add beauty to your yard and neighborhood while providing valuable wildlife habitat.

Additional Information

For more information about Rain Gardens, visit the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) website!