Rainwater Reuse Fair Helps Johnsons Park Residents Combat Flooding

Looking for relief from the headaches of flooded basements and streets following every heavy rain? Our Think Blue | Think Green Rainwater Reuse Fair provides solutions to these problems and hands-on education. The event will showcase how neighborhood residents can direct rainwater away from their homes to rain barrels, rain gardens, flower and garden beds, and community gardens. Local experts will be available to discuss these solutions, many of which can be done at low- or no-cost to neighborhood residents.

“Milwaukee homeowners can reduce flooding and save money by collecting and reusing rainwater in flower and vegetable gardens,” said Nicole Carver, co-chair of Milwaukee Water Commons’ Green Infrastructure Initiative. “We've seen a lot of interest in green infrastructure from local residents, and great organizations like the MMSD Center of Excellence, Groundwork and Reflo will be on hand to show folks how easy and cost-effective it can be to install green solutions in their yards.” Attendees of the fair can expect to learn about the different types of options available, and to access free or low-cost services.

“Nature-based solutions like those featured at the Rainwater Reuse Fair are good for communities, drinking water and the Great Lakes,” added Todd Ambs, campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “The bottom line is communities around the region need help to fix, repair and modernize their drinking water and waste water infrastructure to keep communities and families safe, and we’re counting on the federal government to make investments in water infrastructure a top priority.”“There’s so much interest in our communities about how to better manage our water infrastructure, for both the sake of our residents and our environment,” added Carver. “This is really becoming a movement in our city, and the Rainwater Reuse Fair invites new leadership to grow and shape this movement.”

The first Think Blue | Think Green Rainwater Reuse Fair will be held Sunday, Aug. 27, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Alice’s Garden, 2136 N 21st Street in Milwaukee. Free food and door prizes will be available.

Think Blue | Think Green is part of the Milwaukee Water Commons Water City Agenda. It also works in collaboration with the Milwaukee City Council Promise Zones Initiative. The first neighborhood rainwater reuse fair is supported by a grant from the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.