Madison's potable water supply comes from deep sandstone aquifer wells, and recycled-water reuse is limited; the city follows Wisconsin DNR cross-connection rules and Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District policies for any reclaimed-water applications.
Unlike arid Western cities, Madison does not operate a municipal recycled-water distribution system. Madison Water Utility supplies potable water from twenty-plus aquifer wells, while wastewater is treated by the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District at the Nine Springs facility before discharge. Limited reuse occurs for industrial cooling, biosolids land application, and irrigation of certain MMSD properties. Cross-connection control under Wis. Stat. ch. 281 and Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 810 prohibits connecting nonpotable or reclaimed lines to drinking water. Greywater reuse for irrigation is generally not permitted at the household scale; rain barrels and stormwater capture are encouraged instead.
Cross-connection violations carry penalties up to $1,000 per day under state code, plus mandatory backflow-prevention installation; unauthorized greywater systems must be disconnected and may trigger plumbing-permit revocation.
Madison, WI
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Madison, WI
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See how Madison's recycled water rules rules stack up against other locations.
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