Water Main Flushing

Physical Plant will be flushing water mains on Wednesday, May 12, starting at 6:00 pm and ending at approximately midnight.

Flushing operations may temporarily result in discolored water.  Please make sure water is clear before doing any laundry or any other projects that could be affected by discolored water.

The pressure change sometimes stirs up mineral sediment in nearby water mains, causing discolored water. The minerals that most often lead to discolored water in Madison are iron and manganese, which naturally occur in our sandstone aquifer. If observed, this can be resolved by:

–              Running the cold water tap until the water runs clear.

–              It helps to turn the cold water tap on all the way, flushing the discolored water out as quickly as possible.

–              If your water does not clear after 5 to 10 minutes, please call our Customer Service at (608) 263-3333.

While discolored water is generally not harmful, we recommend that people avoid using it for cooking or drinking.