MILWAUKEE, Wis. – A former Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District employee alleges the organization’s operator knowingly reduces wastewater treatment capacity during rainstorms, leading to more untreated water being dumped into Lake Michigan and surrounding waters than necessary.

The former employee, identified as Steve Jacquart, is now working with Milwaukee-area community advocacy group Common Ground in demanding MMSD independently investigate that operator, France-based Veolia, before extending its contract.

“I’m here tonight because I strongly believe that taxpayers have a right to know about any actions that threaten public health and the environment,” said Jacquart in a prepared statement April 30 during an event unveiling the investigation’s findings at the War Memorial Center in Milwaukee.

Jacquart first reached out to Common Ground anonymously in 2023 alleging that Veolia was not running the Jones Island and South Shore Water Reclamation Facilities at capacity during heavy rain events.

Veolia previously denied to WTMJ any mismanagement at either the Jones Island or South Shore facilities.

MMSD Executive Director Kevin Shafer also cast doubt on the claims in an April 30 phone interview with WTMJ, saying he was “shocked” finding out Jacquart was the whistleblower, but did express openness to a potential third-party audit pending further review of Common Ground’s findings.

“He was not directly connected with any of the day to day operations. So he would have no...

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