At the latest “First Look Forum” produced by three of Milwaukee’s leading research universities, three of the six presenting research teams offered solutions to cleaning water — from drinking water at home and abroad to untreated sewage discharges often triggered by storms.

It was a fitting reminder during Earth Week 2021 that some of the best remedies for environmental challenges can stem from innovative research and young companies that put ideas to work.

Read more of Tom Still’s analysis of why clean water ideas are percolating in Milwaukee (hint: The Water Council has something to do with it) in his column for the Wisconsin State Journal. Watch for a shout-out to Rapid Radicals, a member of The Water Council.