Preserving Our Fresh-Water Resource is Good Business

A recent editorial in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel layed out some of the progress being made in the "water business."  As the city trumpets itself as a "Water Hub," what's being done to support that title?  Who is making it happen?

[excerpted from JSonline]

As the Milwaukee region positions itself as a global hub of fresh-water technology, there is a parallel and synergistic initiative under way in the state to ensure an ample supply of that nearly free commodity for future generations.

It has become clear to almost everyone that the economy and the environment must advance together, so it makes sense for the M7 Fresh Water Council to add an environmental overlay to its strategy that stresses research, education and business development in the water sector.

Two separate meetings in the Milwaukee area last week looked at fresh-water dynamics, one from the economic perspective and one from the environmental. Pat O'Brien, Milwaukee 7 executive director, reported to his board Friday that ITT-Sanitaire recently broke ground on an expanded research and testing facility in Brown Deer and credited the strong environment for fresh-water technology in its success here.

That followed an announcement of A.O. Smith's acquisition of Tianlong Holding Co, a Chinese water-purification business. That will give the Milwaukee-based firm a broader reach in the global water business beyond its current expertise in water heating. Tianlong already exports to 30 countries.

The business side of the fresh-water strategy is moving despite the recession.

To read the full article click here.