Gov. Tony Evers proclaims May 22 as Wastewater Professionals Appreciation Day for the third consecutive year
MADISON, Wis. — Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District will recognize its nearly 140 employees on Wastewater Professionals Appreciation Day this Friday, joining wastewater utilities across Wisconsin in marking the day.
For the third consecutive year, Gov. Tony Evers has proclaimed May 22 as Wastewater Professionals Appreciation Day to recognize the workers who protect and promote the health, safety and overall well-being of all Wisconsinites.
As a regional wastewater utility, the District collects, treats and returns clean water to the environment for about 440,000 residents and businesses across 24 Madison-area communities, work that runs around the clock and is largely unseen by the communities it serves.
“Our work is essential to public health and to the lakes and streams we all share,” says Eric Dundee, Executive Director, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District. “From the everyday work we do to collect and treat wastewater to our award-winning lab, this is a talented and passionate team, and I appreciate Gov. Evers’ ongoing recognition of them and wastewater professionals across the state.”
The District’s work extends beyond wastewater treatment. Since 2020, it has partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on the Wisconsin Wastewater Monitoring Program. The District’s wastewater professionals help the program test for a growing list of public health threats, including COVID-19, influenza A and B, avian influenza, RSV, measles, mpox, and norovirus.
The District has also drawn statewide recognition for its work. In April, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources named the District’s laboratory its Laboratory of the Year, an annual honor recognizing one Wisconsin lab for technical proficiency, strong quality systems and a commitment to producing high-quality data.
Monitoring information for the greater Madison area is accessible on the DHS Wastewater webpage (for COVID-19) and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) National Wastewater Surveillance System webpages.
To learn more about the District, including an interactive map of its service area and infrastructure, visit madsewer.org.
CONTACT: Amanda Wegner, Communications & Public Affairs Manager, 608-422-2727, amandaw@madsewer.org
