Madison Water Utility, City of Madison, WI

Most Requested

Doing Business

Administrative Office:
119 East Olin Avenue,
Madison WI 53713
Open: M - F,
7:30a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Main:(608) 266-4651
Fax: (608) 266-4426
TTY: (866) 704-2315

Questions regarding
Water Quality?
Call: (608) 266-4654

General Questions?
Call: (608) 266-4651

Who do I call if my sewer backs up?
Call City Engineering:
(608) 266-4430,
M - F, 7:30a.m. - 11p.m.,
Sat. - Sun., 9:00a.m. - 11:00p.m. If after hours, call the Water Utility dispatcher at (608) 266-4665

Plans, Programs, & Projects:
Project News

For More Information:

Engineering Section, Madison Water Utility: (608) 266-4653

Click this link to view information on Public Works projects, including water.

Well 29 Projects:

Last updated: 6/17/2008

Water quality issues have been a problem at Unit Well 29, located on Madison's Far East side, since its start-up in 2005. Naturally occurring iron and manganese occur at levels that can discolor the water yellow, orange, or brown. Although not at a level that causes a health concern, the water can stain laundry and plumbing fixtures. As a result, the utility will be installing a filter to remove these minerals. The filter is expected to begin operation in summer 2009.

In the meantime, Unit Well 29 operates on stand-by from June through September. Stand-by assures its availability for fire fighting or other water emergency during summer months. During stand-by operations, Well 29 water is delivered to the distribution system on Mondays from 8 a.m. to noon and Thursdays at 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday. The utility urges customers who might receive Well 29 water to avoid doing laundry during or after these time periods to reduce the risk of stained laundry. Click here to see if your home or business is served by Well 29. Customers can also receive regular water quality updates by subscribing to the Drinking Water Quality listserv.

Status of Unit Well 29 - Currently on Stand-By

A public meeting will be held regarding the final site layout and architectural design for the proposed manganese filter for Unit Well 29 on Monday, June 30, 2008 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, at the Streets East Facility Lunch Room at 4602 Sycamore Avenue. Alders Joe Clausius and Lauren Cnare, design consultants, and Water Utility staff will be available to explain and discuss the project with all interested parties.

Well 29 Pilot Study Report Madison Water Utility Posted: 3/22/2007 (PDF 1MB)

Well 29 Manganese Assessment Posted: 3/22/2007 (PDF 137KB)
Well 29 Summary Report Posted: 7/18/2007 (PDF 1.05MB)
Tables 2-5 from consultant report Posted: 7/18/2007 (PDF 294KB)
Figures from consultant report Posted: 7/18/2007 (PDF 1.01MB)
Appendix A from report: Field Investigations Posted: 7/18/2007 (PDF 340KB)
Appendix B from report: Testing Protocol Posted 7/18/2007 (PDF 269KB)
Appendix C from report: Groundwater Modeling Posted: 7/18/2007 (PDF 812KB)
Montgomery Associates are developing a scope and budget for Phase 2 of the iron and manganese investigation study to expand on information developed during Well 29 work. In Phase 2 several other wells will be sampled to evaluate water quality characteristics and sources of iron and manganese.
Scope of work and contract have been negotiated with Earth Tech, Inc. A project kickoff meeting was held July 18.
Well 29 Pump Test Final Report Posted: 4/1/2008 (PDF 1.89MB)
Well 29 Proposed Filter Preliminary Drawings Posted: 6/18/08 (PDF 3.86MB)

East Isthmus Well Siting Study and Public Participation Program (Well 3 Replacement):

Last updated: 10/3/2007

A citizens' working group has met to establish goals and objectives. Further planning for a public meeting will be undertaken.

Newsletter and other updates, a project web site and meeting materials are planned.
Project Update newsletter, July, 2007 (PDF 141KB)
Montgomery Associates will be outlining basic DNR well siting criteria on a planning map to identify search areas

City's schedules for new and replacement water main projects (City Engineering):