Madison Municipal Services Bill Help: Pay, Log In, Call or Fix a Water Issue
Use this guide as a quick help desk for Madison Water Utility: pay online, sign in, set up auto-pay, call the right number, start or stop service, check current rates, report a main break, request leak help, and understand water-quality questions without digging through multiple official pages.
Start Here: Pick the Task
Madison’s bill is a Municipal Services bill, not only a water bill. It can include water, sewer, stormwater, urban forestry, resource recovery, and landfill charges. Use the right route so your question does not bounce between departments.
Need |
Use this official route |
Prepare first |
Do not miss |
|---|---|---|---|
Pay as guest |
Account number from your bill. |
No login is needed for Quick Pay. Save confirmation proof. |
|
Create login / auto-pay |
Account Number and Customer Number from top right of the bill. |
Account Number starts with “000”; Customer Number begins with “1”. |
|
Pay by phone |
Bill, payment method, exact amount. |
Card payments have service fee/limits; eCheck has no fee. |
|
Billing problem |
Name, service address, phone, account/customer number, screenshot. |
Online support asks that your email include name, address, and phone number. |
|
Start/stop service |
Move date, address, tenant/owner status, forwarding address. |
A final bill is required to close an account. |
|
Main break / outage |
Address/cross street, leak location, pressure/outage details. |
Use after-hours emergency line if the office is closed. |
|
Sewer/stormwater charge question |
City Engineering: 608-266-4751 |
Bill line item, property address, account details. |
Water Utility billing page routes sewer and stormwater charge questions to Engineering. |
Water quality concern |
Water Quality: 608-266-4654 |
Tap affected, color/odor/taste, time started, neighborhood signs. |
Discolored water often clears by running cold water from a low-level faucet. |
Past-due warning: if service is at risk, do not rely on mail, bank bill-pay, or an unverified third-party site. Call billing at 608-266-4641 and ask which method protects service today.
Official Phone, Address, Hours and Emails
Billing Office
Madison Water Utility
119 East Olin Ave.
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-266-4641
Email: municipalbilling@cityofmadison.com
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30 AM-4:00 PM
Water Emergency
Main break / emergency:
608-266-4661
After-hours emergency:
608-266-4665
Use for main breaks, no water without notice, urgent pressure issues, or active water emergencies.
Water Utility Office
Office: 608-266-4651
Email: water@madisonwater.org
Water Quality: 608-266-4654
Meter Shop: 608-266-4765
Question type |
Correct phone/email |
Why this matters |
|---|---|---|
Billing, payment, login, account number, final bill |
608-266-4641 / municipalbilling@cityofmadison.com |
Billing office handles the Municipal Services bill account. |
Water Utility general office |
608-266-4651 / water@madisonwater.org |
Use for non-billing utility questions and general Water Utility routing. |
Main break or urgent water emergency |
608-266-4661 |
Use for active water-system emergencies during regular routing. |
After-hours emergency |
608-266-4665 |
Use when the office is closed and the issue cannot wait. |
Water quality, discolored water, odor/taste |
608-266-4654 / water@madisonwater.org |
Water Quality can help with water at your address and testing questions. |
Meter appointment or AMI meter install |
608-266-4765 / metershop@madisonwater.org |
Meter Shop handles meter installation and appointment questions. |
Sewer, stormwater, landfill charge |
City Engineering: 608-266-4751 |
These charges appear on the bill but are not all Water Utility charges. |
Urban forestry charge |
Streets Division: 608-243-5899 voicemail |
Urban forestry is billed separately from water service. |
Pay Online, Log In, Auto-Pay or Pay by Phone
Quick Pay
No login. Use account number. Best for a one-time payment.
Sign In / Register
Create an account to view details, manage accounts, use multi-bill pay, and e-billing.
Auto-Pay
After login, enroll a bill account and choose payment day and method.
Pay by Phone
Call 1-877-822-8414.
Open the official portal
Go to Municipal Services – Madison, WI. Use “Quick pay” if you only need to pay, or “Sign in / Register” if you want account management, e-billing, or auto-pay.
Find account and customer numbers
For a login account, use the Account Number and Customer Number from the top right corner of your bill. The Account Number starts with “000” and the Customer Number begins with “1”.
Choose eCheck when fee matters
Checking/savings account payments have no fee. Debit and credit card payments have a $2.95 service fee and a $500 transaction limit.
Save proof
Keep the confirmation number, amount, payment method, date/time, and screenshot. If emailing support, include your name, address, and phone number.
Payment method |
Official detail |
Best for |
Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
Online eCheck |
No fee for checking/savings account payments. |
Lowest-cost online payment. |
eCheck numbers can only contain numeric values. |
Online debit/credit card |
$2.95 service fee and $500 transaction limit listed by the portal. |
Fast card payment. |
ZIP code must match the card billing address ZIP code. |
Phone payment |
Call 1-877-822-8414. |
Payment without using the website. |
Same card fee/limit rules may apply. |
Mail |
Make check payable to City Treasury and mail bill stub to City of Madison Treasury, P.O. Box 2997, Madison, WI 53701-2997. |
Normal bills with plenty of time. |
Not safe near cutoff or deadline. |
In person at Water Utility |
119 E. Olin Ave., Madison, WI 53713; Mon-Fri 7:30 AM-4:00 PM. |
Cash, check, money order, debit/credit; no in-person fee listed. |
After-hours payment box is checks only. |
In person at City Treasury |
210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 101; Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:30 PM. |
City payment center option. |
Verify office status before visiting on holidays. |
2026 Rates and Charges Users Usually Search For
Water base charge
$14.00 residential water base charge.
Average water charge
$38.81 average monthly residential water charge listed by Madison.
Rate effective date
Current water rates went into effect on May 1, 2026.
Bill item |
2026 official detail |
Who to call |
|---|---|---|
Water usage charge |
Per 1,000 gallons: first 3,000 gallons $5.70; next 3,000 $7.71; next 3,000 $9.47; next 5,000 $13.74; over 14,000 $17.67. |
Water billing: 608-266-4641. |
Sewer residential base |
$17.50 residential base charge. |
Engineering: 608-266-4751. |
Sewer usage |
$5.64 per 1,000 gallons. |
Engineering: 608-266-4751. |
Stormwater |
Base charge $3.05; pervious $0.275 per 1,000 sq. ft.; impervious $3.592 per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Engineering: 608-266-4751. |
Urban Forestry |
Residential Urban Forestry Charge: $7.63, effective 1/1/26. |
Streets Division: 608-243-5899 voicemail. |
Landfill |
Standard residential landfill charge: $0.50. |
Engineering: 608-266-4751. |
Resource Recovery |
Residential property charge per dwelling unit: $3.50, effective 1/1/26. |
SpecialCharge@cityofmadison.com. |
Special final bill |
$25 special billing charge when an existing customer/property owner/agent requests special billing outside normal billing. |
Billing: 608-266-4641. |
Special meter reading |
$20 when a special meter reading is requested on a date other than regular meter reading. |
Billing: 608-266-4641. |
Real estate closing account status |
$15 for written account-status documentation in connection with a real estate closing. |
Billing: 608-266-4641. |
Official rate tools:
Start, Stop, Tenant Move-Out or Home Closing
Start service
- Call 608-266-4641.
- Have service address and move-in date.
- Have customer name, phone, email, and billing address.
- Find account/customer numbers if service already exists.
End service
- A final bill is required to close an account.
- Prepare move-out date and forwarding address.
- Ask whether any special billing charge applies.
- Cancel or update auto-pay after the final bill is handled.
Homeowners vs tenants
Homeowners: title companies usually arrange transfer at closing, but you can verify with customer service.
Tenants: if your lease makes you responsible for the Municipal Services bill, call to start and end service.
New buyer tip: Madison notes that buying a home may make you eligible for up to a $100 bill credit when replacing an old toilet with an EPA WaterSense-rated high-efficiency toilet model.
Main Break, No Water, Discolored Water or Low Pressure
Main break / emergency
Call for active leak, street water, sudden outage, or major pressure loss.
Water quality
Call if water remains discolored, has unusual taste/odor, or quality concern continues.
Problem |
What Madison says / what to do |
Call if |
|---|---|---|
Discolored water after flushing |
Run cold water at full force from a lowest-level faucet, such as basement utility sink or first-floor bathtub, until it clears. |
It does not clear after a few minutes: 608-266-4654. |
Low pressure during flushing |
Temporary pressure drop can happen. Remove faucet screen/aerator and rinse; soak in vinegar if clogged. |
You have an outage with no notice: 608-266-4661. |
Laundry/dishwasher during flushing |
Wait until evening and make sure water is clear first; discolored water can stain clothes and porcelain. |
Water does not clear or stains continue. |
Street leak or water bubbling |
Call emergency number with exact location, cross street, flow direction, and safety risk. |
Immediately: 608-266-4661 or after-hours 608-266-4665. |
Rotten egg odor |
Madison FAQ says odor often comes from sewer gas displaced from the drain; test by moving a glass of water to another room and smelling it there. |
Unusual taste/odor remains: 608-266-4654. |
Official water-quality routes:
High Bill, Leak Adjustment and Usage Alerts
Leak adjustment
Madison offers a one-time courtesy leak adjustment if approved. Wasted water above normal use is billed at the lowest rate possible.
Eligibility basics
Leak must be repaired first. Adjustment covers no more than two consecutive months and only one billing adjustment per premise.
No adjustment examples
No adjustment for seasonal use such as sod watering, gardening, filling pools/whirlpools, or washing vehicles.
Searcher question |
Answer |
Action |
|---|---|---|
Can I see daily/hourly usage? |
The online conservation tool can show weekly, daily, and hourly water use and can send email alerts for sudden increases. |
Create/login to the portal and connect the Municipal Services account. |
What proof helps? |
Repair invoice, plumber note, photos, dates, and before/after usage pattern. |
Submit courtesy leak adjustment application after repair. |
What if the leak lasted 3+ months? |
Madison says no adjustment for the third or later months when a leak continues for three or more months. |
Repair immediately and ask billing what can be reviewed. |
Who handles questions? |
Madison Water Utility Billing. |
Email municipalbilling@cityofmadison.com or call 608-266-4641. |
Meter, AMI, Appointment and Usage Tracking
Meter Shop
Phone: 608-266-4765
Email: metershop@madisonwater.org
Address: 119 East Olin Ave., Madison, WI 53713
AMI meter benefit
Madison says AMI meters transmit daily consumption and let customers track day-to-day water use online.
Appointment rule
Installations are by appointment, usually take no longer than 60 minutes, and an adult resident at least 18 years old must be present.
Safety check: a Madison Water Utility meter technician should be a City of Madison employee, wear an MWU badge, arrive in a marked vehicle, and wear Madison Water Utility logo clothing.
MadCAP: Monthly Bill Credit for Eligible Households
Credit amount
MadCAP provides eligible households with a monthly credit of up to $30 on the Municipal Services bill.
Apply yearly
Eligible households are not enrolled automatically and must re-apply every year.
Approval timing
After the City receives the application, confirmation is sent within 7-14 days.
Household size |
Annual income limit |
Helpful proof |
|---|---|---|
1 | $45,450 | Tax return, Social Security benefits statement, FoodShare/SNAP, Section 8, WIC proof. |
2 | $51,950 | Proof of gross income for household members. |
3 | $58,450 | Current eligibility document if using benefits proof. |
4 | $64,900 | Attach required documents online or send paper application. |
5 | $70,100 | Email extra files to madcap@cityofmadison.com if needed. |
6 | $75,300 | Application requires customer number and account number. |
7 | $80,500 | Must have Municipal Services bill in your name. |
8 or more | $85,700 | Re-apply annually and notify City if income/household size changes. |
Official MadCAP routes:
Water Quality, Wells, Hardness, PFAS and Lead
Water source
Madison pumps groundwater from a deep sandstone aquifer. The system has 20 active wells, 33 reservoirs including seven elevated towers, and over 900 miles of connected mains.
Water quality report
The 2026 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report was issued in May 2026 using 2025 data. Paper copy: call 608-261-9299 or email water@cityofmadison.com.
Hard water
Madison tap water is considered very hard: about 18-20 grains per gallon. Hardness can cause scale and require more soap/detergent.
Concern |
Official detail |
What to do |
|---|---|---|
Water quality at my address |
Madison offers an address tool to see which wells serve your home and their water quality. |
|
Discolored water |
Iron/manganese sediment may be stirred by flushing, fire suppression, main breaks, contractor work, or flow tests. |
Run cold water from a low-level faucet until clear; call 608-266-4654 if it does not clear. |
Chlorine smell/taste |
Madison adds a small amount of chlorine at wellheads; FAQ says it dissipates from water. |
Fill a clean pitcher with cold water and leave it at least partially exposed to air. |
Fluoride |
Madison began adding fluoride in 1948 and follows Public Health Madison & Dane County recommendation. |
Use the annual report for current water quality context. |
PFAS |
Madison reports low levels of PFAS have been detected at half of wells; all active wells are stated as compliant with stricter federal standard. |
Review PFAS testing pages and specific well report for your address. |
Lead service lines |
As of 11/4/2025, Madison lists no known lead service lines, though lead can still be found in interior plumbing/fixtures. |
Check inventory and test plumbing if concerned. |
Lead rebate |
If a lead water service is discovered, a rebate may cover half the cost up to $3,000. |
Call 608-266-4651 or email water@madisonwater.org. |
Official water quality links:
Plumbers, Curb Stop, Private Wells and Cross Connection
Water service work
- Plumbers must submit an application to connect to an existing service.
- New or replacement water service requires master plumber and property owner signatures.
- For water service applications, call 608-266-4646.
Curb stop / service valve
- Contact Madison Water Utility 24-48 hours before operating the curb stop.
- Locate/check work is Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-3:00 PM.
- Call 608-266-4661; after-hours emergency 608-266-4665.
- Operations Center: 110 S. Paterson Street, Madison, WI 53703.
Topic |
Important Madison detail |
User action |
|---|---|---|
Cross connection |
Madison’s CCC program inspects plumbing systems to protect drinking water from backflow/cross connections. |
Know hazards: garden hoses, boilers, pressure washers, toilets, pools, lawn irrigation. |
Inspection cycle |
Commercial high hazard/industrial: 2-3 year cycle; low hazard: 6-8 year; residential: 15-20 year. |
Ask Water Utility if your property receives a notice. |
Backflow devices |
Testable backflow assemblies must be tested once a year by a certified tester. |
Schedule certified testing before deadline if required. |
Private wells |
If municipal water is available, connection deadlines can apply after attachment, sale/transfer, or water-main extension. |
Call Water Quality at 608-266-4654 for well permit/abandonment questions. |
Google Map: Madison Water Utility Billing Office
Use this map for the billing office and in-person Municipal Services payments at 119 East Olin Ave. The after-hours payment box at this address is listed for checks only.
Location |
Address |
Use for |
|---|---|---|
Madison Water Utility Billing Office |
119 East Olin Ave., Madison, WI 53713 |
In-person Municipal Services payment, billing help, after-hours check drop box. |
City Treasury |
210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 101, Madison |
In-person payment option listed by the City. |
Water Utility Operations Center |
110 S. Paterson Street, Madison, WI 53703 |
Curb/Burke/valve key pickup/return for authorized locate/check situations. |
State Lab of Hygiene |
2601 Agriculture Drive, Madison, WI 53707 |
Certified drinking water lab option for lead sampling information. |
Public Health Madison & Dane County |
210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Madison, WI 53709 |
Certified lab/public health contact route listed on Madison’s lead page. |
Madison Water Utility FAQ
What is the Madison Water Utility bill pay website?
Use the official Municipal Services portal at municipalonlinepayments.com/cityofmadisonwi/utilities. You can Quick Pay without a login or sign in/register to manage accounts, multi-bill pay, e-billing, and auto-pay.
What phone number do I call for Madison Water Utility billing?
Call Madison Water Utility Billing at 608-266-4641. For email support, use municipalbilling@cityofmadison.com and include your name, service address, and phone number.
What is the Madison Water Utility address?
The billing office is Madison Water Utility, 119 East Olin Ave., Madison, WI 53713. Staff hours for in-person payments are Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
What are the Madison Water Utility emergency numbers?
For a main break or emergency, call 608-266-4661. For after-hours emergencies, call 608-266-4665.
Is there a fee to pay the Madison Municipal Services bill online?
Checking and savings account eCheck payments have no fee. Debit and credit card payments have a $2.95 service fee and a $500 transaction limit.
How do I start or stop water service in Madison?
Call 608-266-4641 Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. A final bill is required to close an account.
Who handles sewer and stormwater questions on the bill?
Water appears on the Municipal Services bill, but sewer, stormwater, and landfill questions are routed to City Engineering at 608-266-4751.
Can I get help with a high bill caused by a leak?
You may be eligible for a one-time courtesy leak adjustment after the leak is repaired. Adjustments cover no more than two consecutive months, and only one billing adjustment is allowed per premise.
Does Madison have known lead service lines?
Madison’s Lead Service Line Inventory states that, as of 11/4/2025, Madison has no known lead service lines. Lead can still exist in interior plumbing, old solder, or fixtures.
What is MadCAP and who qualifies?
MadCAP gives eligible households a monthly credit of up to $30 on the Municipal Services bill. You must apply, have the bill in your name, meet income rules, and re-apply every year.
30-Second Madison Water Checklist
Pay: official portal → Quick Pay or login → eCheck for no fee → save confirmation.
Login: Account Number starts with “000”; Customer Number begins with “1”. Call 608-266-4641 if missing.
Emergency: main break 608-266-4661; after-hours 608-266-4665.
High bill: check hourly/daily usage online, repair leak first, then request one-time leak adjustment.
Help paying: MadCAP can credit up to $30/month if eligible and approved.
Editorial Team
WaterBillGuide.us
The content on WaterBillGuide.us is researched and prepared by our editorial team. Our writers and researchers review publicly available information from official utility websites and service portals to create clear, step-by-step informational guides.
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