Utility Asks for Wise Use of Outdoor Water

The combination of sustained dry weather and a number of wells being out of service is putting pressure on the supply conditions of the Madison Water Utility.  The Utility is asking customers to voluntarily limit outdoor water use, and is highlighting the following conservation tips:

• Established lawns need only one inch of water per week. Applying the water all at once, rather than frequent light waterings, promotes deeper roots and a healthier, more resilient lawn.
• Avoid watering during the mid-day heat. This will reduce losses due to evaporation.
• Raise your lawnmower height to promote deeper rooting. Taller grass also shades the soil surface thereby reducing evaporation.
• Use a sprinkling can or hand-held hose to specifically target smaller areas where a sprinkler is wasteful.
• Consider a timed sprinkler, which automatically shuts off after a desired rate of application.
• Use a rain barrel. Capturing water from downspouts conserves the municipal supply while providing the best water for lawn and garden.

Customers can also see exactly how much water they are using every day or even every hour with the utility’s online conservation tool. 

Additional water conservation tips for around the home and outdoors can be found on the Madison Water Utility website.

To ease the supply conditions, the Utility has also suspended routine hydrant flushing effective June 10.  Utility managers will re-assess the situation after the current hot, dry spell subsides or the wells currently out of service for maintenance begin pumping again.