UW-Milwaukee Center for Water Policy

09/01/2026

This article from the Wisconsin Examiner discusses the future of data center development in Wisconsin. Melissa Scanlan is quoted on the complications of a piecemeal approach to data center regulation.

Read it on their website: https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/08/21/data-centers-are-a-big-political-issue-what-should-wisconsin-do-about-them/

Have questions about AI-data centers? Check out the FAQ videos we produced with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: https://uwm.edu/centerforwaterpolicy/center-for-water-policys-professor-scanlan-answers-ai-data-center-faqs-with-milwaukee-journal-sentinel/

Wisconsin candidates for governor are grappling with public concern over data centers, but concrete policies are scant

08/28/2026

The Center wrapped up this year’s orientation week welcoming new fellows Max, Thomas, and Josh, and preparing for the upcoming year with river tours (thank you and ), partner introductions, and lots of water talk. For more info about our fellows, check out our website!

08/19/2026

Last chance to apply! The deadline for the Assistant Director position is approaching fast, with only a few days remaining until August 22. If you want to help drive impactful water initiatives at the Center for Water Policy, we encourage you to finalize and submit your application.

Apply here: https://wisconsin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UW_Milwaukee/job/Milwaukee-WI/Administrative-Manager_JR10013284-1

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Position Title: Administrative Manager Job Category: Academic Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Administrative Manager Job Duties:....

08/12/2026

There's just over one week to apply for our open Assistant Director role!

This position is essential to our mission of promoting science-based, sustainable water policies within the Great Lakes region and beyond. As Assistant Director, you will engage in impactful water policy research, manage internal operations, and help position the Center and the School of Freshwater Sciences as international leaders in the space.

Submit your cover letter and resume through the UWM portal by August 22 to apply: https://wisconsin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UW_Milwaukee/job/Milwaukee-WI/Administrative-Manager_JR10013284-1

08/05/2026

There is still time to apply! We are looking for an Assistant Director to help drive our mission forward at the Center for Water Policy. If you are passionate about freshwater issues and want to work alongside our team at the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences, we’d love to see your application by August 22.

Learn more about the position and submit your application through the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee job portal: https://wisconsin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UW_Milwaukee/job/Milwaukee-WI/Administrative-Manager_JR10013284-1?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo0jf8ro0u&fbclid=IwY2xjawTgIsNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFzam1tcTg2SG9xZ21HUzNCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrsDkijrIK5fvVqBJ1x2UzsgI4LiNI2ed8kGtK4ubQcrU2vi-qyXl9EgDY4J_aem_GrTDedmJEhFPjgF0HnL05A

🔔 The Center for Water Policy is seeking an Assistant Director!

This is a full-time, academic staff position at UW-Milwaukee's School of Freshwater Sciences. Applications will be accepted through August 22. Read more and apply through the UWM application portal: https://wisconsin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UW_Milwaukee/job/Milwaukee-WI/Administrative-Manager_JR10013284-1

07/28/2026

Ohio's EPA has decided not to move forward with a controversial general permit that would have let all data centers in the state discharge wastewater and stormwater directly into waterways, regardless of size, location, or type. The agency cited more than 7,000 public comments in its decision.

Read more about the permit’s denial and what it signals for data center regulation across the Great Lakes region at Circle of Blue: https://www.circleofblue.org/2026/supply/water-quality/ohio-scraps-controversial-plan-to-ease-data-center-wastewater-discharges/

Plus, don’t forget to check out our AI-data center legislative model that highlights policy goals and options for legislative responses to promote transparency and environmental protections: https://uwm.edu/centerforwaterpolicy/center-for-water-policy-releases-ai-data-centers-legislative-model-to-promote-transparency-and-environmental-protections/

Ohio EPA Data Center Discharges proposal rejected, safeguarding waterways from untreated waste and stormwater pollution.

07/23/2026

🔔 The Center for Water Policy is seeking an Assistant Director!

This is a full-time, academic staff position at UW-Milwaukee's School of Freshwater Sciences. Applications will be accepted through August 22. Read more and apply through the UWM application portal: https://wisconsin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UW_Milwaukee/job/Milwaukee-WI/Administrative-Manager_JR10013284-1

07/21/2026

Congratulations to Cami Armendariz for completing her thesis research on the Lake Superior Water Trail!

Cami examined the governance challenges facing the trail, which spans one Canadian province, three U.S. states, and fifteen Indigenous Nations. Her research identified two governance models in action — Minnesota's "Public–Nonprofit" Combination Model and Wisconsin/Michigan's "Traditional–Community" Model — and recommended a Lake Superior Water Trail Collaborative to improve cross-jurisdictional coordination.

Read the thesis on our website: https://uwm.edu/centerforwaterpolicy/coordinating-within-complexity-governance-challenges-and-opportunities-for-the-lake-superior-water-trail/

Thank you to Lynde B. Uihlein and the Brico Fund for supporting this fellowship, and to committee members Melissa Scanlan, J.D., Deidre Peroff, Ph.D., and Amber Wichowsky, Ph.D.

The Lake Superior Water Trail spans international boundaries, one Canadian province, three U.S. states (MN, WI, MI), and fifteen Indigenous Nations. But its complex governance and lack of a unified management structure on the U.S. side result in fragmented administration and inconsistent stewardship...

07/15/2026

Is there a threat of AI data centers draining the Great Lakes?

Does the Great Lakes Compact regulate water use by AI data centers?

ICYMI, we teamed up with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to answer these questions and more through a series of short explainer videos. Check them out here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAyMzPFzDwiJ-gcWC7WuK4O3dSOQi7z-a

Thanks to James Fitzhenry, Bill Schulz, and Chris Kuhagen for their work on this project and to MJS staff for inviting Director Melissa Scanlan to their town hall event earlier this year.

Looking for more? Check out our research on our website: https://uwm.edu/centerforwaterpolicy/center-for-water-policy-releases-ai-data-centers-legislative-model-to-promote-transparency-and-environmental-protections/

07/09/2026

The U.S. Supreme Court’s changes to the Clean Water Act in 2023 contribute to the speed of data center development, writes POLITICO. Fewer federal protections for vital wetlands and streams allow developers to build in sensitive areas with expedited permitting processes.

Learn more about the importance of wetlands and ephemeral and intermittent streams, and the patchwork of protections for these waterbodies in our law review article: https://uwm.edu/centerforwaterpolicy/columbia-journal-of-environmental-law-published-navigating-rough-waters-after-sackett-v-epa-federal-tribal-and-state-strategies/

Read the story here: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/08/trump-data-centers-water-supreme-court-00958383

Wetlands and ephemeral and intermittent streams are vital to the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. Wetlands filter pollutants from water, retain and absorb flood waters, and provide habitats for wildlife. Ephemeral and intermittent streams are ubiquitous …