Important reporting from POLITICO. Learn more about the importance of wetlands and ephemeral and intermittent streams and the patchwork of protections from these waterbodies in our research: uwm.edu/centerforwat...

Walking on the beach may be more complex than you think: a Shorewood resident’s beach walking case may head to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Read WSJ’s coverage and the Center’s piece on beach walking in The Conversation. www.wsj.com/us-news/dog-... theconversation.com/who-is-allow...

Coastal erosion can cause homes to fall into the sea. Shoreline armoring and beach nourishment are common responses to this issue, but these responses raise public access concerns. Read our latest research on the topic on our website! uwm.edu/centerforwat... #publictrust

Director Melissa Scanlan was on NPR’s @kcur.org discussing a proposed rural Kansas data center and it's water consumption. Check it out! kcur.org/2026-06-09/a... #aidatacenters

Shorelines and beaches are rapidly shifting and eroding around the Great Lakes. But common solutions can raise concerns regarding access to public trust resources. Read our latest research on the issue, published by Denver Water Law Review! papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.... #waterpolicy

Wisconsin isn’t the only Great Lakes state grappling with abandoned boats! A tug has been submerged in Presque Isle Bay, Lake Erie, since Dec. 2025. In May, a crane attempted to remove the boat from the bay but failed and dropped the tug back in the lake. www.goerie.com/story/news/l...

A recent report from the state of #Michigan shows that its #phosphorus input into #LakeErie has decreased. The report highlights community environmental programs, improvements to wastewater treatment and sensing technology as crucial parts of the reduction plan. www.mlive.com/environment/...

Milwaukee is facing a federal deadline to replace all lead pipes by 2037. Since 2017, Milwaukee has used funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to subsidize the cost of replacing pipes. www.jsonline.com/story/news/s...

Paul Florsheim received a trespassing ticket while walking on the beach in WI. A judge ruled he was trespassing on private beach, but Florsheim asserts he was within his rights under WI’s Public Trust Doctrine. Now, Florsheim’s case is heading to Milwaukee Circuit Court. www.wuwm.com/lake-michiga...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has started a rulemaking process to rescind certain PFAS drinking water standards. Before changing the PFAS standards, EPA must hold a public comment period, which is open until July 20, 2026. www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...

The Center for Water Policy’s Cami Armendariz won “Best Short Video” in the 2026 Planet Forward Storyfest for her video “Bringing Back the Giants: Sturgeon Restoration in the Milwaukee River Watershed.” Congratulations Cami! Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhHf...

Assistant Director Tressie Kamp was a guest on Wisconsin Public Radio’s Wisconsin Today to discuss water and energy impacts of AI-data centers. She also spoke about the consequences of not understanding these facilities’ full resource demands. Check it out: wpr.org #waterpolicy

We are thrilled to announce the generous gift of $4 million from Lynde B. Uihlein to the Center’s Endowment, part of her historic $10 million gift to the School of Freshwater Sciences! Read more about the historic gift in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: jsonline.com/.../lynde-ui... #thankyou

Earlier this week, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District staff gave the Center a tour of the Jones Island Water Reclamation Facility — a facility that cleans billions of gallons of wastewater every year from communities in southeastern Wisconsin. Thanks for the tour!

The Center for Water Policy team gathered to celebrate our 24-26 Water Policy and Science Communications Fellow Cami Armendariz! After two years of fantastic work, Cami is graduating from the School of Freshwater Sciences with an M.S. in Freshwater Sciences. Good luck, Cami!

Intense April rains in Milwaukee led to a combined sewer overflow. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District reported that over 2 billion gallons of untreated wastewater flowed into local waters during the combined sewer overflow. www.jsonline.com/story/news/e...

Nurdles, a preproduction plastic pellet, are a major contributor to plastic pollution. Regulatory loopholes can prevent polluter accountability when nurdles discharge into waterways. During May, volunteers search for these plastics to inform pollution data. chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/...

Towns around Lake Ontario are preparing for serious flooding. Inflow at Niagara Falls is exceeding lake outflow into the St. Lawrence River, creating high and still rising water levels. Communities are laying sandbags, checking sump-pumps, and clearing debris. www.fingerlakes1.com/2026/05/01/w...

Is it finally time for offshore wind in the Great Lakes? 🌊 In a new article, Center for Water Policy Director Melissa Scanlan outlines roadblocks stalling progress. Professor Scanlan emphasizes that transparent, science-based planning is crucial for development. www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/04/30/a...

64 cruise ships are set to visit Milwaukee in 2026, generating an estimated $3.5 million for the local economy. They dock just steps from the proposed Dredged Material Management Facility, where new land could expand port capacity even further. www.jsonline.com/story/news/l...

Some good news for your socials feed! A collaborative project recently restored of 50 acres of wetland adjacent to Lake Ontario. To mimick natural marsh conditions, the completed project removed invasive plants, thus creating better habitat for native birds and fish. www.syracuse.com/outdoors/202...

Historic rain in Michigan and Wisconsin is causing lake levels to rise rapidly. Due to rainwater flows into Lakes Michigan and Huron, the Army Corps of Engineers estimated that both lakes rose 10 inches between March 17 and April 17. www.woodtv.com/weather/ask-...

Wisconsin’s April elections proved that data centers are an important issue to voters, a recent article from WPR highlighted. Wisconsin communities elected candidates that campaigned on issues related to data centers, including government transparency and accountability. www.wpr.org/news/data-ce...

Center for Water Policy Assistant Director Tressie Kamp will be a keynote speaker at the “Blue Futures” Spring Symposium, hosted by Water@UW. Blue Futures examines how science, innovation, and policy affect water systems. Free to attend, registration required: water.wisc.edu/event/spring...

Emilie Washer, Water Policy Specialist and Sea Grant UW Water Science-Policy Fellow at the Center for Water Policy, will speak at “Understanding AI: A Forum for Local and Tribal Governments,” hosted by UW-Division of Extension. Ticketed event, registration required: extension.wisc.edu/aiforums/

Last week, Center for #WaterPolicy #ScienceCommunication Fellow Will Matuska attended the Speaking Science Conference, hosted by the University of #Minnesota. The conference explores informative, engaging, and inspiring science communication through presentations and hands-on activities.

Melissa Scanlan contributed to an E&E News article examining the water and sewer infrastructure needs of AI #datacenters and how consumers feel the cost of expanding that infrastructure. www.eenews.net/articles/thi...

Living in a “blue economy” means sustainable use of freshwater resources to benefit communities. A study from Algoma University found that most residents of Sault Ste. Marie were not familiar with the term blue economy or how humans impact the Great Lakes. greatlakesecho.org/2026/04/08/s...

Ocean Renewable Power Company, a group that creates submersible hydroelectric generators, will install two hydroelectric devices in the St. Lawrence River. Urban hydropower has the potential to produce reliable energy through the high-velocity flows of large waterways. esgnews.com/orpc-targets...

Melissa Scanlan shares the impacts of #AIdatacenters in WI in the Journal Sentinel, while a video clip discusses myths about closed-loop data centers, their electricity demands, and significant water and energy footprints. www.jsonline.com/story/news/e...

Governor Tony Evers signed two PFAS bills into law this past Monday. To celebrate, the Governor visited residents of Campbell, WI. $80 million of the $133 million allocated by the bills will go to a community grant program to help towns like Campbell! www.wpr.org/news/evers-s...

In March, tech executives gathered at the White House to sign the “Ratepayer Protection Pledge.” The voluntary agreement asserts that data centers will pay for their own grid upgrades, but does not implement mechanisms to hold companies accountable. grist.org/accountabili...

Adult claimants affected by the Flint water crisis will receive partial payments from a $626 million settlement. The crisis began over a decade ago when Flint, MI switched its drinking water source without implementing necessary corrosion control measures. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...

The #US #EPA announced that it will designate #microplastics as contaminants of concern and will allocate funds to microplastics research. The new designations do not take any steps towards monitoring microplastic levels in #drinkingwater. www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...

Last call - application deadline tomorrow for two Water Policy Specialist positions. Come join us in working to protect, conserve, and restore freshwater resources!

The #GreatLakes region relies on underwater infrastructure- but many of these structures are covered in invasive #ZebraMussels and #QuaggaMussels. Did you know that special teams of divers remove unwanted filter-feeders from this important infrastructure? www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/03/27/h...

Melissa Scanlan was featured in a @crainschicago.bsky.social article about AI-data center demands on water and electricity. Read the full article: chicagobusiness.com/forum/ccb-fo... Check out our new Legislative Model: uwm.edu/centerforwat... #aidatacenters #waterpolicy #water #greatlakes

Industry in the Great Lakes region produce excess heat that is discharged into receiving waterbodies. This waste heat could instead be used as a renewable energy source. This mostly untapped energy source can face political and financial barriers. www.circleofblue.org/2026/water-e...

Microsoft is ending its policy of NDAs with local municipalities on #datacenter developments. While continuing to protect certain confidential information, Microsoft’s move attempts to address criticism that secretive agreements undermine local democracy. jsonline.com/story/money/...

Proponents view state-level control of Great Lakes wind projects as a way to shift fed policies & challenges. "If it’s done correctly & we’re able to harness even a fraction of that potential, we could offset a lot of electricity demand," Scanlan says. grist.org/energy/the-g...

Why people are throwing #AI #datacenters into the ocean? Watch the DW Planet A video and tune in just after the two-minute mark to hear Professor Scanlan highlight the shift we're seeing to hyperscale facilities. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eykl...

Water is Life! Simple as that. #WorldWaterDay, celebrated on March 22, is a time to focus on the importance of freshwater and raise awareness of the 2.1 billion people without access to safe water. It’s about taking action to tackle the global water crisis together.

Looking to connect #water research with real-world decision-making? Check out our video to get involved with the Freshwater Collaborative Water Policy #Network! We connect experts across the UW System and bridge the gap between science and policy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBxv...

The Center for Water Policy is hiring a Water Policy Specialist! This position is designed to immerse emerging lawyers in the dynamic world of applied research for multidisciplinary #waterpolicy solutions. Apply by 4/7/26! Full Position Description here: uwm.edu/centerforwat...

The Michigan Supreme Court heard two cases on contested permits for the Enbridge #Line5 tunnel: A coalition of Indigenous nations and environmental advocacy groups challenged the decision to grant Enbridge a key environmental permit. michiganadvance.com/2026/03/11/m...

In an urban environment, small parcels of greenspace can play a critical role in absorbing stormwater. Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District implements rain gardens, porous pavement, and other green infrastructure around the city to help mitigate flooding impacts. www.wuwm.com/green-infras...

This Wednesday, CWP Fellow Cami Armendariz presented her master’s thesis, “Coordinating Within Complexity: Governance Challenges and Opportunities for the Lake Superior Water Trail.” Congratulations to Cami on a great presentation! And check out the Center's upcoming events! uwm.edu/centerforwat...

Sturgeon season lasted 48 minutes on Black Lake. Sturgeon reach sexual maturity late in life, leaving the species vulnerable to overfishing. Community, tribal, and state agencies work together to manage the fish. This year, agencies set a season limit of 14 fish. greatlakesecho.org/2026/03/03/c...

Extreme winter weather causes shoreline erosion and property damage around the #GreatLakes. To combat shoreline erosion, New York #SeaGrant offers free shoreline remediation assessments to New York residents who live along Lakes #Erie and #Ontario. www.fltimes.com/news/help-av...

⚡ #AI #datacenters are growing fast across the US — driving major spikes in #water and energy use and raising concerns for communities & the environment. Who ensures transparency & accountability? What policies can help? 👉 Read: uwm.edu/centerforwat...