Annual Conference Milwaukee, WI 2025
From May 14–16, 2025, municipal leaders, innovators, and water advocates gathered in Milwaukee, WI, for The Future of Fresh Water: Leading the Way in an Era of Scarcity. Around the globe, access to clean water is one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century, as skyrocketing demand, constrained public budgets, and persistent threats like pollution and flooding continue to endanger water supply, water quality, and the well-being of communities.
With about 20 percent of the world’s surface fresh water, the communities of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region stand on the frontlines of this challenge. At the same time, cities across the region face mounting pressure to do more with less as residents navigate an affordability crisis. In response, mayors and municipal leaders are championing the investments and innovation needed to protect our most critical resource—because when water is at risk, so is our economy, health, and future.
Hosted by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, the conference highlights the essential role that local governments, industries, and innovators in the region play in addressing both regional and global water issues—and in shaping a more resilient future.
Slide Decks / Presentations
Breakouts
Enhancing Water Stewardship Through Public-Private Partnerships
Discussion on Brownfields: Demystifying Remediation and Exploring Opportunities
Harnessing Nature for Resilience
Strategic Communications and Marketing: Driving Policy & Public Action
Coming Together: Scaling Up Waterfront Planning
Pioneering New Approaches to Water Management
Main Programing:
Resolutions
2025 Resolutions passed by our membership.
MONITORING AND MANAGING MICROPLASTIC POLLUTION ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES AND ST. LAWRENCE RIVER BASIN – A Resolution Submitted by the Township of the Archipelago, ON
RE-ESTABLISHING DEDICATED FUNDING FOR RIVERBANKS PROTECTION IN CANADA – A Resolution Submitted by the City of Candiac, QC
ADDRESSING MAINTENANCE DREDGING ISSUES FOR THE MARITIME INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER – A Resolution Submitted by the Metropolitan Community of Québec, QC
REASSESSING FEDERAL STATUS OF STRIPED BASS IN THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER – A Resolution Submitted by the Metropolitan Community of Québec, QC
UPHOLDING THE GREAT LAKES-ST. LAWRENCE RIVER BASIN AGREEMENT AND COMPACT – A Resolution Submitted by Halton Region, ON and the City of Lorain, OH
REAFFIRMING SUPPORT FOR THE GREAT LAKES WATER QUALITY AGREEMENT – A Resolution Submitted by the Town of Lincoln, ON and the City of Muskegon, MI
CREATING A COMMITTEE ON FIRST NATION AND TRIBAL ENGAGEMENT – A Resolution Submitted by the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
MAINTAINING PROGRESS ON LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT THROUGH THE LEAD AND COPPER RULE IMPROVEMENTS AND ADDITIONAL FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDING – A Resolution Submitted by the City of Milwaukee, WI
PROTECTING U.S. FEDERAL FUNDING TO COMBAT EROSION AND FLOODING ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES AND ST. LAWRENCE RIVER BASIN – A Resolution Submitted by the City of Sheboygan, WI
ADVANCING A GREAT LAKES-ST. LAWRENCE STRONG RESPONSE TO THE U.S.-CANADA TRADE WAR – A Resolution Submitted by the City of St. Catharines, ON and the City of Portage, IN
PROTECTING DYNAMIC SHORELINES ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES AND GEORGIAN BAY – A Resolution Submitted by the Township of Tiny, ON
Featured Speakers
About Our Annual Conference
Earth may be known as the “Blue Planet,” but just under one percent of all water is fit for human consumption. Globally, access to clean water has become one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century as various trends – from skyrocketing demand to local flooding – converge to endanger water supply and water quality.
With about 20 percent of the world’s surface fresh water, the communities of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin are on the frontlines of responding to this challenge and leading the way in championing sustainable and resilient water management, technology, and innovation.
Join us in Milwaukee to learn more about the vital role that local governments, industries, and innovators play in collaboratively tackling regional and global water issues. Together, we can create a new paradigm of local leadership that preserves our fresh water and generates economic prosperity for generations to come.
We will cover three subthemes tackling regional and global water issues. For each of these subthemes, there will be one plenary session and two concurrent breakout sessions. Attendees will attend the breakout sessions of their choice:
-
Supply and Demand: Preserving Our Region’s Abundant Freshwater Resources — While our basin’s freshwater resources may seem limitless, they are vulnerable to depletion if not managed sustainably. Around 40 billion gallons of water are withdrawn from the Great Lakes each day for a range of uses, including for energy and industrial production. The Great Lakes Agreement and Compact puts guard rails on water usage, but demand is expected to rise due to surging populations and increased industrial activity in our basin alongside growing pressure to divert water to other regions. Without a concerted effort to reduce overconsumption of water resources, water utilities may be unable to meet the needs of their developing populations and economies. This plenary session will assess how communities can better manage water consumption to help keep water in the basin for generations to come by implementing innovative and resilient water-efficiency projects, encouraging more sustainable industrial practices, and defending the Great Lakes Agreement and Compact.
-
Clean Water Communities: Addressing Legacy Pollution, Emerging Contaminants and Beyond — For decades, basin communities have been leaders in protecting and restoring our precious freshwater resources. Through the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the St. Lawrence Action Plan, and related efforts, basin communities have worked collaboratively with federal, state, and provincial partners and key stakeholders to safeguard our supply of clean drinking water, reduce pollution, and promote healthy freshwater ecosystems. Despite these successes, legacy pollutants continue to impact our waterways, and emerging contaminants are identified every year. Water-adjacent industries and outdated sewage systems are still major contributors to toxic point source pollution. Meanwhile, nutrient and chemical pollution are being driven by runoff from farmland and population centers, and a staggering 22 million pounds of plastic enter the basin every year. This plenary session will explore effective community-led approaches and key programs and frameworks to protect and restore our freshwater ecosystem, with a strong emphasis on both environmental and socioeconomic benefits.
-
Weathering the Storm: Promoting Water Resilience in an Era of Extreme Flooding and Erosion — More frequent, unpredictable, and extreme weather is causing chronic urban flooding and coastal erosion throughout the basin. Communities that experience frequent or severe flooding are left to grapple with a myriad of economic, environmental, and health impacts including damage to public and private property, sewage backups and overflows, poor water quality, destruction of habitats and recreational spaces, and increased risk of exposure to bacteria, parasites, and mold. This plenary session will discuss how basin communities can combat flooding risk and lessen the burden on municipal water infrastructure by advancing green infrastructure projects and integrating climate resilience as a central component of city planning.
Conference Partners
Our Host City
Photo credit: VISIT Milwaukee
Cradled along the western shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is a city where natural beauty meets a rich tapestry of maritime history and diverse cultural heritage. For centuries, this area has been a gathering place for the Potawatomi, Menominee, and Ho-Chunk Nations, whose ancestral ties to the land are honored through local sites and events. Today, Milwaukee is known for its stunning lakefront, which has recently been transformed with vibrant developments like the revitalized Harbor District and the dynamic Deer District, an energetic hub of entertainment surrounding the Fiserv Forum.
Milwaukee’s cityscape offers a seamless blend of scenic beauty and modern innovation, making it an ideal venue for exploring sustainability and progressive ideas. With miles of waterfront trails, lush parks, and iconic cultural landmarks like the Milwaukee Art Museum, the city invites you to unwind, explore, and be inspired. From its historic neighborhoods to its state-of-the-art attractions, Milwaukee provides endless opportunities to experience the best of both worlds—rooted in history yet constantly evolving for the future.
Beyond its beautiful surroundings, Milwaukee is a city with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that reflects the friendliness of its people. Locals take pride in their city’s unique blend of Midwestern hospitality and diverse, cosmopolitan energy. Whether you’re exploring the city’s thriving brewery scene, dining at innovative farm- to-table restaurants, or catching a festival along the waterfront, you’ll find that Milwaukee has a relaxed yet vibrant pace, perfect for making lasting connections.
As a growing hub for green innovation and sustainable development, Milwaukee is not just a destination—it’s a place where progressive ideas come to life on the shores of one of the world’s most magnificent lakes.
Photo credit: VISIT Milwaukee