Madison Water Utility received strong grades in Wisconsin’s inaugural water utility report cards, developed by a UW-Madison researcher to assess water quality, infrastructure, finances and public communication, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. The utility earned A’s in water quality and communications, and B’s for finances and infrastructure. Statewide, over 92% of utilities earned A’s for water quality, but more than a quarter scored poorly in financial health and infrastructure management.
The report cards, based on 2022-2023 data from state agencies and independent research, are meant to spotlight the often-overlooked water systems that underpin public health and economic stability. While most utilities are delivering safe drinking water, UW professor Manuel Teodoro warned that underinvestment in infrastructure and finance could jeopardize long-term outcomes.
Madison’s scores were bolstered by low contaminant levels in most wells, though the utility received lower marks in areas like radium, lead and total coliform detection. City officials noted that efforts are underway to address problem areas, including a $9 million project to improve Well 19 and PFAS treatment work at Well 15, which has been offline due to contamination. PFAS data was not included in this report but will be incorporated in future assessments.
The utility also faces challenges related to aging infrastructure, including water main breaks and a high debt-to-asset ratio, though improvements are in progress. Debt has been significantly reduced since 2018, and Madison is investing millions in pipeline upgrades. The Public Service Commission has already approved $5 million in replacements, with another $10 million proposal in the pipeline for 2026.
In addition to water quality, Madison was one of just two utilities in the state to earn a perfect score for communications, alongside Green Bay. Most utilities struggled in this category, with over half receiving failing grades. In the surrounding metro area, Fitchburg excelled with straight A’s, while Sun Prairie received an F in water quality following a fluoride overexposure incident in 2023.
