The People Speak Poll:
Region's residents favor subsidies for water industry
March 2010

Greater Milwaukee residents show solid support for efforts to use the region's abundance of fresh water as an economic development tool, even if it means paying slightly more for their own water or using public subsidies to do so. That's according to the latest People Speak Poll of 429 residents in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties conducted in mid-February.

Nearly 70% of municipal water users participating in the poll would be willing to pay a small surcharge on their water bill "to fund economic development activities promoting southeast Wisconsin as a place for water-related research and economic growth." In addition, 65% of all respondents agree that government subsidies are "desirable to attract new or expanded water industries to southeast Wisconsin." More than 80% of respondents agree the region has the potential to become a global leader in the water technology industry.