Water Outages

There are occasions where crews must turn off water to homes in order to do maintenance or to repair a break in a water main.  The number of homes affected can be just a few or several dozen, depending on the location of valves.  In all cases, crews will go door-to-door and attempt to make contact with each affected resident, leaving a door hanger if no one is home. In the case of a larger main break, the urgency of the situation may dictate that the water be turned off before all affected residents can be notified.

  • Crews will give you estimate of the amount of time the water may be shut off.  If the water will be off for an extended period of time, considering filling pitchers,  sinks or bathtubs with water to use if needed.
  • Make sure that all faucets are turned OFF while the water is off.  A faucet left on and unattended could cause a sink to overflow when the water is turned back on. Don't forget outside faucets.

When the Water Comes Back On

When water is restored, it may be cloudy due to air in the pipes or discolored due to minerals in the pipes being dislodged. This is normal and and should clear fairly quickly. 

  • In order to flush cloudy or discolored water, find the faucet closest to your water meter.  This will likely be in the lowest level of your home, possibly a basement utility faucet. Run the COLD tap in this faucet for a minute or two until the water runs clear.
  • Do not use hot water or do laundry until your cold water runs clear.  This will prevent sediment from entering your hot water heater. 
  • If you have a faucet which isn't operating properly, it may be necessary to remove the aerator screen, rinse any particles away, and reinstall it. 
  • If you experience low water pressure throughout your house following a water outage, call Monona City Hall at (608) 222-2525.  During non-business hours, you will hear a message with directions to be connected to the Monona Dispatch Center.