MWB - Frequently Asked Questions

Water Ops FAQs

1. Why is there paint in my yard at the curb, or in the street?
2. What is the water pressure in my area?
3. Should I install a pressure regulator?
4. How can I find out what is in my drinking water?
5. How can I remove air or discolored water from my lines?
6. What to do if my water has a bad taste or odor?

1. Why is there paint in my yard at the curb, or in the street?
Utilities use temporary paint to mark the location of buried lines and pipe before digging for repairs. The national color code for line locating is as flows.

Blue - Water
Green -Wasterwater
Red - Electric
Yellow - Gas
Orange - Telecommunications
White - Proposed excavation area

The paint will wash away in a few days with rainfall. Failure to cooperate with other utilities by locating facilities can lead to service interruptions and worker injuries. Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated.

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2. What is the water pressure in my area?
If you are having pressure problems, you can contact our office at 772-0253 or e-mail us at CustServ@MadisonUtilities.org. We will work with you to determain if you may be having problems.

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3. Should I install a pressure regulator?
It is recommended that you install a pressure regulator if the pressure in your area is 85 pounds per square inch (psi) or above. The regulator installed should have a pressure rating of 15-200 psi. This device can be provided and installed by a plumber of your choice.

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4. How can I find out what is in my drinking water?
Please see our latest Water Quality Report online. From the Home page, select the "Water Ops" tab and select the Water Quality Report. We also mail a copy of the latest report to each customer during the month of June. If you have other questions about our water quality please contact our office or email us CustServ@MadisonUtilities.org .

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5. How can I remove air or discolored water from my lines?
To remove air from your lines, open the water fixture at the highest elevation of your home. To remove discolored water, open the fixture at the lowest elevation of your home. If the problem persists, please contact our office at 772-0253 or email us at CustServ@MadisonUtilities.org .

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6. What to do if my water has a bad taste or odor?
While we hope this never happens, sometimes in older homes you may experience a taste or odor issue that can be associated with older plumbing lines and fixtures. A possible solution is to open the fixture at the point of the greatest odor and let it flow from one to five minutes. If the problem persists, contact our office at 722-0253 or email us at CustServ@MadisonUtilities.org .

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