The Six Lines on the Bill
Madison Water Utility sends the bill and takes payment for all of it, including the parts that belong to other city departments.(City of Madison) The six charges are water, sewer, stormwater, urban forestry, resource recovery and landfill.(Madison Water Utility) The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin sets water rates; the Common Council sets the other five.(Madison Water Utility)
| Line | 2026 rate | In effect since | Set by | 2025 rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Madison Water Utility | $14.00 base (5/8-inch meter) or $18.00 (3/4-inch), plus $5.70 for the first 3,000, $7.71 for the next 3,000, $9.47 for the next 3,000, $13.74 for the next 5,000, $17.67 over 14,000 gallons, per 1,000 gallons | May 1, 2026 | PSC | $14.00 base; $4.60 to $12.75 per 1,000 gal |
| Sewer City Engineering | $17.50 base plus $5.644 per 1,000 gallons of water used | May 1, 2026 | Common Council | $17.33 base; $5.422 per 1,000 gal |
| Stormwater City Engineering | $3.05 per parcel, plus $0.275 per 1,000 sq ft of pervious area and $3.592 per 1,000 sq ft of impervious area | May 1, 2026 | Common Council | $2.95; $0.267; $3.533 |
| Urban Forestry Streets Division | $7.63 a month (residential) | January 1, 2026 | Common Council | $7.56 |
| Resource Recovery Streets Division | $5.40 a month per dwelling unit ($3.50 January to August 2026) | September 1, 2026 | Common Council | $3.56 |
| Landfill City Engineering | $0.50 a month (standard residential) | May 1, 2026 | Common Council | $0.50 |
2026 rates from the city's current rates page,(City of Madison) 2025 rates from an archived copy of the same page.(City of Madison, Nov. 2025) Rates are for single-family residential customers.
Each Line Explained
Water
A base charge set by meter size, plus a usage charge.(City of Madison) Since May 1, 2026 a single-family home pays $14.00 a month with a 5/8-inch meter or $18.00 with a 3/4-inch meter, plus $5.70 for the first 3,000, $7.71 for the next 3,000, $9.47 for the next 3,000, $13.74 for the next 5,000, $17.67 over 14,000 gallons, priced per 1,000 gallons.(City of Madison) The tiers reset each month, so a summer of lawn watering is billed at the higher rates.(Water Utility rate file)
The city puts the average residential water charge at $38.81 a month.(City of Madison) It pays for maintaining the pipes, the electricity to pump and treat water, and meters and meter reading.(City of Madison) The single-family class also covers individually metered duplexes, triplexes and condos.(Water Utility rate file)
Sewer
$17.50 a month for a 5/8 or 3/4-inch meter, plus $5.644 per 1,000 gallons, in effect May 1, 2026.(2026 sewer rate schedule) Sewer use is billed on the water your meter records, and the usage rate matches what the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District charges the city to treat it.(City of Madison) Half of the base charge maintains more than 790 miles of city sewer main; the other half goes to the Water Utility for meter costs.(City of Madison)
Stormwater
Every parcel in Madison pays it, whether or not it uses city water. It funds storm sewers, greenways, ponds and the equipment to keep them working.(City Engineering) Madison doesn't use a flat "equivalent unit". The charge is $3.05 per parcel plus $0.275 per 1,000 square feet of pervious area (lawn, garden) and $3.592 per 1,000 square feet of impervious area (roof, driveway, patio), each month, since May 1, 2026.(2026 stormwater rate schedule) The city measures both areas from aerial imagery.(City Engineering)
If your square footage looks wrong, you can ask Engineering for a formal adjustment. The 2022 credit policy also gives credits for things like approved stormwater practices; the per-parcel charge can't be credited.(Stormwater credit policy) On 2027 street reconstruction projects, a terrace rain garden you request costs a $100 assessment and takes $5 a month off the stormwater charge.(City Engineering)
Urban Forestry
Pays for the city's Urban Forestry crews, the ones who prune, remove and replant street trees. It's $7.63 a month for residential customers in 2026.(Streets Division) It was $7.56 in 2025.(City of Madison) Terrace trees and the oak permit rule are covered in our yard guide.
Resource Recovery
The recycling charge. You pay it only if the Streets Division collects your recycling; homes and buildings with 8 or fewer units are enrolled automatically. It's a flat rate per dwelling unit, so a duplex, or a house with an ADU, pays it twice.(Streets Division) The Common Council raised it to $5.40 a month starting September 1, 2026, from $3.50 earlier in the year.(Streets Division) What goes in the green cart is in our Madison trash and recycling guide.
Landfill
$0.50 a month for a standard residential customer.(2026 landfill rate schedule) It pays to monitor and maintain five closed city landfills (Mineral Point, Greentree, Olin, Demetral and Sycamore), which are now parks with gas and leachate systems running around the clock.(City Engineering) It isn't a fee for using the county landfill; that's covered here.
What Changed in 2026, and What's Proposed for 2027
- Water: the PSC approved the utility's rate case (docket 3280-WR-117) and new rates took effect May 1, 2026. The average residential water charge went from $33.90 to $38.81, an increase of $4.91 a month. Overall it's a 9.9% increase, about 3.3% a year since the last one in 2023.(City of Madison)
- Sewer: base charge $17.33 to $17.50, usage $5.422 to $5.644 per 1,000 gallons, May 1, 2026.(2025 rates)
- Stormwater: per-parcel charge $2.95 to $3.05, with small increases to the area rates, May 1, 2026.(2025 rates)
- Urban forestry: $7.56 to $7.63 on January 1, 2026.(Streets Division)
- Resource recovery: $3.56 in 2025, $3.50 from January 2026, $5.40 from September 1, 2026.(Streets Division)
The Mayor's 2027 executive budget, which the Council can still change, proposes: no water rate change;(2027 executive budget) a 4% sewer increase (about $1.60 a month on the average bill);(2027 executive budget) a 3% stormwater increase;(2027 executive budget) urban forestry at $8.72 a month;(2027 executive budget) and no change to the landfill charge.(2027 executive budget) The budget proposes $4.97 a month for resource recovery, but compares it with the $3.50 rate from early 2026, not the $5.40 in effect since September.(2027 executive budget) Sewer and stormwater rate changes took effect May 1 in 2025 and 2026.
Paying the Bill, Late Fees and Unpaid Balances
- Online: through the Municipal Services portal. eCheck is free; card payments cost $2.95, and credit cards top out at $500. Phone: 1-877-822-8414. Mail: a check to City Treasury with the bill stub, P.O. Box 2997, Madison WI 53701-2997.(Madison Water Utility)
- In person: Madison Water Utility, 119 E. Olin Ave., or the City Treasury, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 101. No fee in person.(Madison Water Utility) Autopay from a bank account is free.(Madison Water Utility)
- Late charge: 1% a month on the unpaid balance for bills not paid within 20 days. After an overdue notice, service can be disconnected if you don't pay or make arrangements within 10 days.(Water Utility rate file)
- On the tax bill: unpaid charges can be added to the property tax bill under Wis. Stat. 66.0809.(Water Utility rate file) State law sets the dates: a notice by October 15, a 10% penalty if still unpaid on November 1, and the balance goes on the tax roll after November 15.(Wis. Stat. 66.0809) It then shows up as a special charge on the property tax bill.
- Selling a house: the title company normally arranges the transfer, and the old account gets a final bill ($25). A closing statement of the account costs $15.(Madison Water Utility)
A High Bill
- Check whether it was estimated. If the utility couldn't read the meter, the bill has to say so, and the next actual read corrects it.(Water Utility rate file)
- Look at your use by the hour. The online portal shows weekly, daily and hourly use and can email you when use jumps.(Madison Water Utility) Steady use overnight usually means a running toilet or a drip.
- Fix the leak, then ask for the courtesy adjustment. Each property gets one. It covers at most two months, wasted water above normal use is billed at the lowest rate, and you may get a one-time sewer adjustment. Watering sod, gardening, filling a pool and washing cars don't count.(Madison Water Utility)
- Ask for a meter test if nothing explains it. Complaint tests follow PSC 185.77.(Water Utility rate file)
A separate meter for lawn watering needs an application ($204 for a 5/8-inch meter since May 1, 2026), and water for soaking new sod has to be metered.(Madison Water Utility) The sewer schedule charges $2.26 a month for a meter that measures water use only.(2026 sewer rate schedule)
Help Paying: MadCAP
MadCAP takes up to $30 a month off the Municipal Services Bill for households at or below 50% of area median income (for example $45,450 for one person or $64,900 for four). You apply and reapply each year; homeowners also take part in a water conservation program.(Madison Water Utility) In 2026 the PSC stopped letting water rates fund it, and the city moved it to the General Fund.(2027 executive budget)
Other Charges That Aren't on This Bill
Street reconstruction and other public works can bring a separate charge, a special assessment, billed by City Finance and spread over years on your property tax bill. See Madison special assessments. Your tap water's hardness and PFAS results for your well are in our Madison tap water guide, and the property tax side is in Madison property tax.
Questions
What is the Madison Municipal Services Bill?
The monthly City of Madison bill for water, sewer, stormwater, urban forestry, resource recovery (recycling) and landfill. Madison Water Utility sends it and collects the payment for all six.
How often does the Madison water bill come?
Every month. The city is split into four billing cycles, so about a quarter of the city gets a bill each week. Each bill covers 28 to 32 days of service.
Who sets Madison's water rates?
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. The latest increase took effect May 1, 2026, raising the average residential water charge from $33.90 to $38.81 a month. The Common Council sets the other five charges.
What happens if I don't pay my Madison water bill?
A 1% a month late charge applies to bills not paid within 20 days. Service can be disconnected after an overdue notice, and unpaid charges can be added to your property tax bill under Wis. Stat. 66.0809.
Why did my resource recovery charge go up in September 2026?
The Common Council raised it from $3.50 to $5.40 a month per dwelling unit, starting September 1, 2026, for the rest of the year. The rate for 2027 is set in the city budget.
Can I get a leak adjustment on my Madison water bill?
Once per property. You apply after fixing the leak, it covers at most two months, and wasted water is billed at the lowest rate. Watering sod, filling pools and similar seasonal use don't qualify.