TrashVeyor™
Image courtesy Aquarius Systems.
Measuring What Matters
To better understand the types and sources of debris entering the river, Sweet Water conducted detailed waste audits throughout the 2025 season, coordinating sampling with rainfall events to compare conditions before and after storms. During three material audits, our team sorted and weighed 442 pounds of debris, separating trash, recyclables, and organic material to build a clearer picture of what is entering Milwaukee's waterways.
Although the project was cut short when historic flooding damaged the TrashVeyor in August 2025, the data collected helped establish standardized waste audit methods that will continue to guide future monitoring and research.
Informing Future Solutions
By pairing debris collection with science, Sweet Water is creating a clearer picture of what enters Milwaukee's waterways and when. This information supports future research, guides local management decisions, and contributes to long-term efforts to improve watershed health.
Using data to stop trash before it reaches Lake Michigan.
Trash and organic debris are a visible reminder of the pollutants that move through our urban waterways and Lake Michigan every day. Sweet Water is helping communities better understand and reduce this pollution by combining innovative technology with science. Sweet Water partnered with Aquarius Systems to evaluate the performance of the TrashVeyor™, an automated conveyor system installed on the Kinnickinnic River that captures floating debris and transfers it into onshore dumpsters. Operating around the clock, the TrashVeyor intercepts litter and organic material before it can travel downstream, providing a safer and more efficient alternative to manual cleanups.
