This story has been updated.
The company that manages the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s wastewater treatment plants is suing the district.
Veolia filed the lawsuit Friday. It says the MMSD’s process to choose a contractor for the next 10-year wastewater management contract has been influenced, by an "external advocacy campaign and political pressure.”
Despite the lawsuit, the MMSD Commission is slated to meet as planned Monday, Sept. 14 at 9 a.m. to review recommendations on the contract.
A final decision isn’t expected until later this month.
These have been tumultuous times for MMSD and Veolia, which has managed the region’s two wastewater treatment plants for 18 years.
Last spring, the advocacy organization Common Ground helped whistleblowers come forward, alleging mismanagement by Veolia.
In response, the MMSD Commission ordered a third-party audit of both the District and Veolia. That audit is still underway.
But, the review process for the contract starting in 2028 has continued.
Last month, an ad hoc committee – all former MMSD commissioners – recommended Jacobs Engineering be awarded the contract, not Veolia.
Now, Veolia is suing.
MMSD Commission Chair Corey Zetts released a statement Sunday, defending the contract process:
"MMSD is aware of a lawsuit filed by Veolia regarding the selection process for our next operating contract. MMSD established its procurement process, criteria and timeline in 2024 and has followed it as outlined. Consistent with this process, an Ad Hoc Committee comprised of former MMSD commissioners thoroughly reviewed both bids and made a recommendation based on the previously established criteria. The MMSD Commission has not made a final decision. We will continue to follow each step in the process on our previously established timeline to ultimately select our next operator."
As the commission deliberates Monday, attorneys representing MMSD and Veolia are due to appear in federal court in Milwaukee for a preliminary hearing.
