Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fluoride added to Windsor water?

The Village of Windsor water utility pumps water from five wells in two disconnected water systems. In the south system, which serves Windsor and parts of Deforest, chlorine and fluoride are added at each well. In the north system, which serves Morrisonville, only chlorine is added. In 2015 the Morrisonville Sanitary District Commission decided to discontinue the addition of fluoride to the public water supply. The natural fluoride levels in both systems is around .1 mg/L, and there are no federal or state requirements to boost those levels. Where fluoride is added, .7 mg/L is the targeted level in the distribution system.

 

What is the Public Fire Protection Charge on my utility bill? 
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), which regulates water utilities, requires all water utilities to recover a public fire protection fee (PFP). The PFP covers the cost to guarantee the utilities water system can provide high flows and pressures needed to fight fires. The fee is established by the PSC. 

Is it flushable?
A message from Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District: What we put down our drains and toilets can negatively impact our environment and put our health at risk. Even items labeled flushable can clog pipes, tangle pumps and result in messy and costly sewer backups. By educating ourselves and each other, we can avoid expensive and dangerous mistakes while improving our sewer system practices.
 
There are only two items that we should ever flush: human waste and toilet paper. If you cannot avoid purchasing and using items that have been labeled "flushable," throw them away after use rather than putting them into our sewer system.
 
Questions? Find us on the web at www.madsewer.org or call 608-222-1201.  
 
Why is my water discolored?  
Windsor pumps all of its water from underground sandstone aquifers. As a result, some sediment is pumped out of the ground with the water. This sediment settles to the bottom of the water mains and storage vessels. Hydrant flushing helps to remove this sediment, but sometimes some material will get stirred up and travel into your household water lines. Running your tap for a few minutes will usually clear the water. You may need to clean your aerator on your faucet after this occurs.
  
Why is my floor drain backed up?
Your floor drain in your residence is connected to the municipal sanitary sewer system. All sanitary pipes in Windsor and Morrisonville ultimately connect to a sewer system carrying waste to Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District’s treatment plant, which is located off of South Towne Dr. in Madison. Most of the sewers flow by gravity; however some go to pumping stations when gravity flow is not an option. On occasion, obstructions can occur in the sanitary pipes, or pumping stations can fail, causing backups into your basement drain. This is one reason sanitary mains are cleaned and televised regularly. Most of the time, however, a sewer backup occurs due to obstructions in your own sewer lateral. Older laterals are sometimes constructed of clay, and this type of pipe is vulnerable to tree roots penetrating them, and creating a blockage. Some customers regularly have their sewer laterals cleaned out to prevent backups from occurring. The sewer utility is not responsible for a backup in your lateral, unless it is first caused by a backup in the sewer main.
 
What is the water hardness in Windsor?
Windsor's water has a hardness of around 20 grains per gallon.

 

Does Windsor have any lead water services?

We do not believe there are any lead services in the Windsor water system. In 2024 the EPA required that all water systems evaluate their water systems to determine if lead pipes are present. Historical construction records, excavation notes, and original water system materials were all reviewed to help us reach this conclusion. Specific water service line information is available upon request.