Clean Water Plant works to cut chloride; softener rebate and business outreach part of plan
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Summary
Clean Water Plant staff reported progress on lowering effluent chloride levels under a new DNR permit and said the city is offering rebates for water-softener removal and engaging high-use businesses to reduce discharges.
Waukesha’s Clean Water Plant staff told the finance committee they are working to meet a new DNR effluent chloride limit and reported that average chloride readings are trending downward but have not yet reached the target range.
Officials said the city’s softener-rebate program, which offers a payment to residents who remove home water softeners, has been successful and will continue in 2026. Plant staff also said they are pursuing targeted outreach to businesses with high water and chloride loads to optimize or remove commercial softening systems.
Clean Water Plant staff noted the plant cannot remove chloride in conventional treatment and therefore must lower incoming chloride at source. They described ongoing capital work to improve plant operations, including equipment upgrades and a planned dryer addition as part of a multi-phase facility upgrade.
Committee members asked about winter road-salt practices and whether alternative de-icers would reduce chloride loads; staff said certain alternatives still contain chloride and that state-level policy changes and contractor practices affect overall salt loading. Staff reiterated that the city must rely primarily on source-reduction and targeted programs, such as the rebate, to meet permit limits.