University Housing, in partnership with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), is conducting water sampling in our apartments to check for lead. This proactive measure is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure the ongoing safety of our drinking water. We have tested about 70% of our buildings since late July and have found no widespread issues. As we continue to test the remaining locations, we are prepared to address any specific concerns that may come up.
Steps You Can Take for Water Safety
- Run the water for approximately 60 seconds daily before use.
- Do not use hot water for drinking or food preparation.
- Always use cold water for drinking, cooking, or filling your pitcher.
- Look for “Filtered Drinking Water” signage when in other campus buildings.
- If you choose to purchase a water filter or are already using one, please ensure the filter is certified for lead with an NSF certification. Only filter cold water.
More Information
All of University Apartments receive water from the City of Madison. Normally this is primarily from Well 19, which serves the UW campus, the UW hospital, the Village of Shorewood, and nearby Madison neighborhoods. Since late November, Well 19 has been offline while the City completes a maintenance project on that well. Currently, our water is coming from the other nearby City of Madison Wells. The city closely monitors all the water in the system. For detailed water quality information, visit the City of Madison Water Quality (https://www.cityofmadison.com/water/water-quality).
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we take these proactive steps to prioritize your health and safety.
If you have questions, please email University Apartments at universityapartments@housing.wisc.edu.