Protecting Wisconsin's Groundwater Through Comprehensive Planning
Milwaukee County
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 WATER USE

Water-use data were updated in January 2008 to include 2005 data. Some water-use estimates prior to 2005 have been revised since published in the U.S. Geological Survey "Water Use in Wisconsin" summary reports.

Thermoelectric and mining data are not considered in water-use tables or figures on this web site. Thermoelectric-power water use is the amount of water used in the process of generating thermoelectric power. The predominant use of water is as non-contact cooling water to condense the steam created to turn the turbines and generate electricityD1.

Milwaukee County water utilities deliver surface water to two communities in Ozaukee County, one community in Racine County, and three communities in Waukesha County. In 2005, the total amount delivered to these counties was 5.4 million gallons per day of surface water. This amount was not included in Milwaukee County's total surface-water use.


Milwaukee County Estimated Total Withdrawals

 

Milwaukee County water use by year
(millions of gallons per day)
 
1979
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
Surface-water use
172.33
212.81
184.96
177.58
183.22
143.72
Groundwater use
10.19
9.91
6.17
7.22
6.32
6.81
Total water use
182.52
222.72
191.13
184.80
189.54
150.53