Hard Water: Politics and Water Supply in Milwaukee, 1870-1995 (History of Technology Series) - Tapa dura

Hard Water: Politics And Water Supply in Milwaukee, 1870-1995 by educator and urban studies specialist Kate Foss-Mollan is the documented and historical account of the water supply of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Foss-Mollan blends urban history, technology, biology, research, and political science into a remarkably intriguing and informative saga. From conflicts over supplying poor neighborhoods to partisan debates regarding the necessity of a filtration plant, Hard Water spans over a century with an eye-opening account of the wrangling, machinations, and more - all about a seemingly simple drink of water. This book is very highly recommended for American urban studies reading lists.

This work examines formation, growth, and change in the Water Department of Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1870-1995. It combines areas of history, technology, politics, and policy-making in an effort to understand how municipal decision-making processes determine technological determinations throughout the history of Water Works. It also discusses how poor communication between technical specialists and policy makers resulted in delays in decision-making as well as in poor construction choices. The turbulent history covers the struggle to supply a filtration plant, which was deeply rooted in differences between political parties; accommodation of suburban demands for services of municipal supply; and the cryptosporidium crisis of 1993, along with the history, maps, tables, and charts are also contained within.