‘V’ is for Vivir

“V” is for vivir, live, vivo... We’ve heard that “water is life (agua es vida).” But how does water flow through our daily lives? How can we make a difference? How is Milwaukee a Water Centric City? When we turn on the tap, we expect clear, clean water, but this miracle is only possible because of so many seemingly invisible choices we all make. Milwaukee Water Works Superintendent Karen Dettmer shares how our drinking water system protects the public from pathogens. Erick Shambarger, who heads the City of Milwaukee’s Environmental Collaboration Office and the Water Centric City initiative, discusses how green infrastructure at schoolyards, businesses, and on public property is improving our resilience in the face of climate change and severe storms. Walker’s Point stalwart Pancho Caesarez recounts subtle connections to water in our neighborhoods knit together through food, music, and recreation. Academic and architect Jim Wasley is designing urban waterscapes to absorb and repurpose stormwater, while reintegrating life into our cityscape. Artist Sarah Gail Luther considers both boundaries and access points to water in the Harbor District and different quarters of our city. Steve Servais offers the long view on how humans have altered our relationship to water in the Harbor District and beyond.