Water Wagon

Madison's One and Only Water Wagon!

Our Water Wagon serves up clean, cool, refreshing Madison water at community events across the city during the warm weather months (May through early-October). It also serves as Madison Water Utility's primary in-person outreach initiative, focused on opening dialogues with customers about conservation, sustainability and source water protection. Keep your water bottle handy - you never know where you'll see us! Check out the history of Madison's one-of-a kind Water Wagon, and see more photos on our Facebook page.

Submit a Water Wagon Request Form

We’re planning now for the 2025 Water Wagon Season! With one wagon, and so many meaningful events across the city, Madison Water Utility prioritizes events that allow for engagement with diverse audiences.

If not a Madison School District Event, Water Wagon Events must meet these requirements:

located within the Madison Water Utility service area
event is free and/or contains free access to the public as bystanders
access to potable water hookup within 100 feet of desired wagon location

A complete application is required for all Water Wagon requests. Incomplete applications submitted to Madison Water Utility may be denied because staff are unable to determine eligibility without this information.

Please complete a Water Wagon Request Form and submit it to water@madisonwater.org at least one month prior to your event.

Priority is given to requests submitted annually by March 15.

Water Wagon Request Form
Send form to: water@madisonwater.org

The Water Wagon is considered an in-kind sponsorship, as Madison Water Utility does incur significant costs to maintain, set up and staff the Wagon. When the Water Wagon is brought to events, at a minimum Madison Water Utility must be included as a sponsor on all event marketing materials.

To request a logo for promotional materials or to find out more information, contact water@madisonwater.org.

Questions? Email water@madisonwater.org

Man and children get water at the Water Wagon

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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When is the deadline to submit Water Wagon requests?

Scheduling priority is given to requests submitted by March 15 each year.

How does the Water Wagon work?

The Water Wagon is a freshwater system, not a tank. We hook it up directly to approved hose bibs at parks and other areas throughout Madison. The water is then cooled inside the wagon and comes out of the taps cold, fresh and ready to quench thirsts!

How do I request the Water Wagon at an event I am organizing?

Fill out a Water Wagon Request Form and submit it at least one month before the event. Priority is given to requests submitted annually by March 15.

Event requests are evaluated and approved based on the availability/proximity of a water source, staff availability, and the event's expected attendance, mission, and promotions.

What is the cost to use the Water Wagon?

Bringing the Water Wagon to an event is considered an in-kind sponsorship, as it costs us to maintain, set up and staff the Wagon. In exchange for bringing the Water Wagon to events, Madison Water Utility must be included as a sponsor on all event promotional materials. To request a logo for promotional materials or to find out more information, contact water@madisonwater.org.

Who is permitted to use the Water Wagon?

The Water Wagon is intended to be used at outdoor events within the Madison Water Utility service area. A Madison Water Utility staff person must always be present throughout the duration of the event.

What guidelines must be followed while the Water Wagon is at my event?

Any organization requesting the Water Wagon must agree to comply with the following:

Madison Water Utility staff must have easy/clear access to the site location, especially for drop off and pick up.
The Water Wagon cannot be dropped off the night before or left unattended at any time.
We have the authority to cancel the Water Wagon's participation at an event, especially in an emergency or inclement weather situation.

We are interested in building a Water Wagon. Can we get plans or talk to the staff members who designed and built it?

The Water Wagon is Madison Water Utility's own original design and includes proprietary components and details. Please email water@madisonwater.org if you're interested in building your own.

Can the Water Wagon be hooked up to a fire hydrant?

Hydrants are installed for fighting fires, and water delivered from them is considered non-potable. The Water Wagon cannot use fire hydrants as a water supply.