The City of Milwaukee is working to keep our water clean and our sewers functioning properly. As a result, DPW performed tests and home investigations in the summer and fall of 2025 in Grasslyn Manor to identify leaks or connections in the sewer system that need repair. This information will help guide where improvements could be most helpful to reduce the risk of basement backup events and sewer overflows.

After the smoke tests were completed, a follow-up letter noted the results. Residents were invited to sign up for a voluntary home investigation to help DPW further understand the issues at the property and repairs needed. Residents may be eligible for free improvements following a home investigation, which included up to 3 indoor tests.

The City of Milwaukee is able to offer these improvements thanks to grant funding through the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage Districts’ (MMSD) Private Property Infiltration and Inflow (PPII) Reduction Program. The grant offers assistance for DPW-identified repairs to homeowners for a limited time. The City will cover the cost of the investigation and potential repairs for those enrolled in the PPII program. Additional information about this opportunity will be provided following the results of the home investigation.

To learn more about PPII investigations and why participating in the program is important, check out the video produced by Mike Timm and Kelly VanZant below or the Visual Process Guide.

The story of stormwater in Grasslyn Manor, a community located within the Sherman Park neighborhood, is multifaceted: longstanding physical issues, including historic waterways and topography of the region, as well as more recent social issues, including development and inconsistent reporting of backups. These conditions, along with infiltration and inflow, have led to persistent stormwater concerns by residents.

Grasslyn Manor is highly impervious, which prevents the rain from soaking into the ground. It also sits atop a historic waterway leading to large, historic wetlands. Water has a long history of traveling through this area and is now forced to travel through pipes rather than overland.

Residents have come together to investigate their water issues and find solutions through the “Help Build the Ark” effort. The Private Property Infiltration & Inflow (PPII) Reduction Project is just one of many potential solutions for the community. Learn more and hear resident stories in the video below produced by Mike Timm or in the Residential Handbook for Flooding Issues available for download.