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Madison Water Utility

Water Utility

Tom Heikkinen, General Manager

  • Founded in 1882
  • Celebrating 136 years serving our community

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  1. City of Madison
  2. Water Utility
  3. Water Quality

Water Quality

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Water Utility employee tests water sample

Madison Water Utility takes the quality of our water very seriously. We routinely collect more samples and run more tests than are actually required by the EPA and DNR.

Our drinking water more than meets all federal and state drinking water standards. Take a look at the latest annual Annual Water Quality Report to learn more.

What’s the water quality like in your home? Finding out is as easy as typing in your address.

Water quality concerns? Call our Water Quality Department at (608) 266-4654.

 

Water Utility Facilities

The City of Madison drinking water system consists of 22 active wells, 30 reservoirs (including five elevated water towers), and some 840 miles of interconnected water transmission and distribution mains. Madison Water Utility pumps ground water from a deep sandstone aquifer. Wells are 500-1100 feet deep and deliver water to localized regions of the city.

Discolored Water

We regularly flush our water mains in the spring and summer months to push out naturally occurring iron and manganese sediment that comes from our aquifer. But that action -- or any other disturbance like fire suppression, a main break, contractor work, or a flow test -- can temporarily stir up the sediment that causes discolored water. If your water becomes discolored, run a cold water tap in the basement at full force until the water clears. Usually it clears in just a few minutes.

Disinfection

Chlorine is used in very small amounts to destroy harmful water-borne viruses, bacteria and microbes. MWU tests the water daily at every well to ensure chlorine levels are maintained as closely as possible to the required 0.3 parts per million.

Fluoride

MWU began adding fluoride to Madison's water in 1948 at the direction of the Common Council. The move was part of a city policy to reduce the risk of dental cavities, particularly for children with little access to routine dental care. Madison Water Utility currently follows the recommendation of Public Health Madison Dane County (PHMDC) with regard to fluoride levels added to drinking water.

More questions? Take a look at the 2014 PHMDC policy statement on Fluoridation of Public Drinking Water posted on its website.

PFAS

Low levels of PFAS have been detected at two Madison wells. Amounts detected at both wells are below the EPA's health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion. Find out more on our Perfluorinated Compounds information and testing page. According to Public Health Madison Dane County, the levels detected are not considered a threat to public health. See the Public Health Madison Dane County Factsheet About PFAS.

Chromium-6

Chromium-6 has been detected at low levels (less than 2 parts per billion) in 14 of Madison's 22 wells. In 2014, California was the first state in the nation to establish a regulatory standard for chromium-6, which was set at 10 parts per billion (ppb). Right now, there is no federal regulatory standard for the substance. Find out more on our Chromium information page.

 

Water Quality

  • Water Quality at My Address
  • Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
  • Water Main Flushing Program
  • Water Quality Testing
  • Private Wells
    • FAQs – Attached Properties, Municipal Water Requirements
    • FAQs – Attached Properties, Private Well Requirements
  • Cross-Connection Control Program
  • Wellhead Protection Program
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Discolored Water
  • Lead Service Replacement Program
    • Lead in water: What you should know
    • Information for Utilities on Lead Service Replacement
  • Perfluorinated Compounds / PFAS
    • PFAS - Frequently Asked Questions
      • Cov Lus Nquag Nug Txog PFAS
      • Preguntas frecuentes sobre las PFAS
    • PFAS Drinking Water Testing Plan
  • Road salt and Madison's drinking water
  • Well 8
    • Groundwater Study Update
  • Well 27 Radium Study

Water Quality

  • Phone: (608) 266-4654
  • Email: water@madisonwater.org
  • eNews: Sign up for Water Utility News & Alerts

Water Utility

Water Utility Administrative Office
119 East Olin Avenue
Madison, WI 53713
  • Report Main Break/Emergency: (608) 266-4661
  • Report Emergency After Hours: (608) 266-4665
  • Office: (608) 266-4651
  • Fax: (608) 266-4426
  • Office Hours: 7:30am - 4:00pm, M-F
  • Drinking Water Concerns/Questions
  • Email Us
  • WI Relay Service

Customer Care

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