What you can do to help as MMSD issues water drop alert while storms hit southeast Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- With all of the storm damage and flooding, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) is asking for the public's help.
Right now, the Jones Island water reclamation facility is at 100% capacity, and the South Shore facility is higher than 80%, while the deep tunnels are filling up as well.
That's why MMSD issued a water drop alert to help reduce sewer overflows.
"During a very heavy rainfall and storm, if we see that there is a risk or potential for basement backups and when the deep tunnel begins to get full, we close the gates to the dep tunnel and that automatically forces water to go up to the lowest point which is our riverways," said MMSD Director of Public Engagement Peter Coffaro.
During an alert, every drop of water counts and there are some easy changes you can do to help.
"If you can hold off on doing your laundry, please do so, if you can take shorter showers, please do so," Coffaro said. "The average person uses maybe 100 gallons at least of water a day, so if you can just take that and reduce it even 25% or 30%, that's a help to our system and does take real pressure off our pipes and real pressure off our reclamation facilities."
And with more flooding expected Wednesday night, officials said you should always remain prepared.
If you want to sign up for water drop alerts, just text the word WATERDROP to 414-296-4422.
If you experience basement flooding, make sure to stay out of the water as it is unsafe and immediately call your municipal public works department to report it.
You may also file a form with MMSD which uses the information for planning purposes.
To receive updates on the facilities, click here.
The water drop alert is expected to last through Thursday, April 16.