United Nations Global Compact Cities Programme Welcomes Milwaukee, Taps Region's...

United Nations Global Compact Cities Programme Welcomes Milwaukee, Taps
Region's Fresh Water Technology Expertise

MILWAUKEE, April 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Milwaukee joined an elite list
of only 13 cities worldwide this week, gaining admission into the United
Nations Global Compact Cities Programme (UNGCCP). With this admission,
Milwaukee achieves United Nations recognition of the area's expertise and
global leadership in fresh water technology and science. Milwaukee and San
Francisco are the only two North American cities in the UNGCCP.

"Every city around the world is facing its own intractable problems, which are
becoming increasingly difficult to manage, let alone improve," said Dr. Paul
James, Director of the UNGCCP. "These are the issues that have been failed by
previous governance efforts year after year - slums, transport, pollution,
sanitation. The UNGCCP provides a unique framework for helping cities build
constructive taskforces across the key sectors of business, government and
community to produce practical, local and sustainable solutions to these
challenges."

Cities accepted into the program submitted proposals to address complex
challenges common to most urban areas such as housing, health care and
sanitation. Milwaukee's proposal focuses on managing limited fresh water
resources through water technology and science. It is a plan that prioritizes,
implements and monitors the activities of a number of integrated sub-projects
that make a difference in water quality for the Milwaukee and the surrounding
region.

Admission into the UNGCCP is the latest evidence of Milwaukee's emergence as a
global hub for fresh water technology expertise and industry. The area is home
to 120 businesses that serve some aspect of the water technology industry.
Five of the world's largest water technology companies have headquarters or
other major operations in the area.

In 2007 area business, academic and civic leaders formed the Milwaukee 7 Water
Council, whose mission is to develop the Milwaukee Region as the world water
technology hub for fresh water research, economic development and education.
Richard Meeusen, Chairman, President and CEO of Badger Meter and Paul Jones,
Chairman and CEO of A.O. Smith Corporation serve as co-chairs for the Water
Council.

"This designation from the UN shows how significant Milwaukee's role is, and
will be, in addressing the world's water technology and policy needs of the
present and future," said Meeusen.

Jones added, "We're very proud of the Water Council's work to get us to this
point. As a member of the UN Global Compact Cities Programme, Milwaukee will
be a very active participant helping to develop new technologies and solve
water issues."

In March, the Milwaukee area further increased its stature as a global fresh
water hub with Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle's commitment of $240 million to
fund education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, including support for
the School of Fresh water Sciences -- the first of its kind in the Western
Hemisphere.

"To be recognized by the United Nations as the fresh water hub in the world is
an honor and speaks volumes about Milwaukee's strengths in fresh water
technology," said Mayor Tom Barrett. "We are proud to be the second U.S. city
to join the U.N. Global Compact Cities Program and believe that we are leaps
and bounds ahead of the competition in growing our fresh water economy."

Milwaukee's UNGCCP project will be under the leadership of the Milwaukee 7
Water Council, which will adopt the goals of the new School of Fresh water
Sciences. Its focus will be maintaining and improving water quality system
dynamics, health and sustainability as well as fresh water technology, policy,
and management.

Dr. James expressed his appreciation of Milwaukee's progress in moving the
project forward. "The project now has clear top-level vision with established
priorities; the sub-projects are consistent with the overall goals, and the
partnerships and commitment that Milwaukee has managed to bring together are
exemplary," he said.

About the Milwaukee 7 Water Council
Milwaukee 7's Water Council mission is to align the regional fresh water
research community and water-related industries to turn the Milwaukee region
into the world water hub for fresh water research, economic development and
education. Additional information about the Milwaukee 7 Water Council is
available at www.milwaukee7-watercouncil.com.

Media fact sheet:
www.milwaukee7-watercouncil.com/file/show/briefing-document-apr-03-2009_deandesign.pdf

SOURCE Milwaukee 7 Water Council

Jason Lusk of Milwaukee 7 Water Council, +1-414-227-3441, jlusk@c-k.com