Last night the Committee on Community Development watched a presentation on the Waukesha Water Plan. Waukesha would like to draw fresh water from Lake Michigan, use it, treat it, and then send it back to Lake Michigan via a pipe that would dump into Underwood Creek which runs through Wauwatosa. This plan as you can imagine is wrought with some controversy and there are many questions which need to be answered. The problem with asking questions at this point in the project is compounded by the fact that it is still in the application process and in a best case scenario is years away from ever coming to fruition.

I have been trying to follow this issue as closely as possible. I want to feel and sound informed when questioned about it by constituents. An interesting situation surrounds this plan though; while the Wauwatosa Common Council could vote showing either their support or opposition, it is important to note that such an action will have no weight or bearing in the decision by the DNR to move forward. So then, who cares?

It is important that at some point the Council needs to take an official position on this issue. We each represent Wauwatosa, personally I represent the residents of the 5th District. If they want this then I want this, if they don’t then I don’t either. Last night there were only a few people there to view the presentation. I really thought there would be a lot more. It is important in a situation like this that you contact your alderman and let them know what you think because if this happens it will have a direct effect on Wauwatosans.

With all the information I have taken in on this I am NOT convinced that this is the best plan, I am worried it is the cheapest and easiest. It will take some time and many more questions will need to be answered before I can be convinced otherwise.