The Water Council is working to heighten Milwaukee's profile in the global water industry. Keep reading to learn how.
Hundreds of people were in Milwaukee this week to talk about one thing -- water.
For the ninth year in a row, The Water Council, a nonprofit water technology think tank, presented The Water Summit. The two day conference attracted approximately 300 local attendees and drew in 250 water experts from around the world.
One of those experts was investigative reporter and author Charles Fishman. He led interactive workshops and conversations with attendees, and all of the programming revolved around the summit's central theme -- building a water resilient city.
So why Milwaukee?
Because of the city's ideal location on Lake Michigan -- with a strong history of water-dependent industry -- Milwaukee has a natural advantage.
Today the city and the surrounding region is home to approximately 200 water technology companies with another 20 universities offering a water based curriculum, according to Meghan Jensen, Director of Marketing & Membership for the Water Council.
We have the ability to use Lake Michigan as a resource to help us develop new technologies.
And the local industry is growing quickly.
A second Global Water Center will open in 2017, modeled after the success of its predecessor which opened in 2013. Inside a Walker's Point warehouse, the Centers will offer expanded space for both water-based nonprofits and for-profit businesses, with shared spaces for collaboration.
Jensen joined me in studio to discuss the recent Water Summit and how Milwaukee fits into the global water picture.
