Water Restrictions: Madison vs Sun Prairie
How do water restrictions rules compare between Madison, WI and Sun Prairie, WI?
Sun Prairie has fewer restrictions than Madison.
Madison, WI
Dane County
Madison Water Utility enforces year-round odd-even sprinkling rules under MGO 13.18. Watering is prohibited between noon and 6 PM. Drought advisories can trigger stricter limits or bans.
View full Madison rules →Sun Prairie, WI
Dane County
Dane County does not impose county-wide outdoor water use restrictions. Municipal water utilities within the county may impose restrictions during drought. Rural well users are generally unrestricted.
View full Sun Prairie rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Madison | Sun Prairie |
|---|---|---|
| Utility | Madison Water Utility | - |
| Schedule | Odd-even by address | - |
| Prohibited | Noon to 6 PM daily | - |
| New Sod | Exempt 30 days | - |
| Rain Sensors | Required on irrigation | - |
| County Restrictions | - | None |
| Municipal Utilities | - | May impose restrictions during drought |
| Well Users | - | Generally unrestricted |
| Topic | - | Water Restrictions |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Madison FAQ
Can I water with a hose during the day?
Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is allowed any time. Sprinklers are restricted noon to 6 PM.
Does Madison get its water from the lakes?
No. Madison uses deep sandstone aquifer wells. The lakes are not a drinking water source.
Sun Prairie FAQ
Are there watering restrictions in rural Dane County?
No county-wide outdoor watering restrictions exist. If you're served by a municipal utility, check with your utility. Well users have no county-imposed restrictions.
Can Wisconsin impose statewide watering restrictions on Dane County?
Yes. The Wisconsin DNR can impose temporary water use restrictions during declared drought emergencies, which would override the typical unrestricted status of rural well users.
Do Dane County well users need to meter outdoor watering?
No. Private wells serving a single rural residence are unregulated for outdoor use and do not require metering or reporting under county code.
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