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.

Eligibility

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.

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.

Request Form & Contacts

Water Wagon Request Form
Send form to: water@madisonwater.org
Contact water@madisonwater.org to request a logo for promotional materials
Questions? Email water@madisonwater.org or call (608) 266-4651

Man and children get water at the Water Wagon

2025 Water Wagon Schedule

(Schedule is subject to change)

Date	Event
April 24	Public Service Commission
May 16	Spring Harbor Middle School Springathon
May 17	Stephens Elementary School Spectacular
June 6	Elvehjem Elementary School Field Day
June 7 & 8	Thunderstruck Baseball & Softball Tournament
June 14	Loop the Lake
June 16	Mobile Madison at Brittingham Park
June 17	Mobile Madison at Elver Park
June 18	Mobile Madison at Warner Park
July 8	Parks Alive at Darbo-Worthington
July 12	Art Fair on the Square
July 13	Art Fair on the Square
July 19	Opera in the Park
July 20	Opera in the Park (rain date)
July 28	All City Dive Meet at Parkcrest
July 29	All City Dive Meet at Parkcrest
July 31	All City Swim Meet at Hill Farms Pool
August 1	All City Swim Meet at Hill Farms Pool
August 2	All City Swim Meet at Hill Farms Pool
August 10	Ride the Drive at Law Park
August 16	Eken Park Fest
August 17	Magic Pride Fest at Warner Park
August 19	Parks Alive at Reindahl Park
August 30	Taste of Madison
August 31	Taste of Madison
September 7	Good Neighbor Fest at Brittingham Park
September 26	Rocky's Fun Run
September 28	Run Wild at Henry Villas Zoo
October 4	Nami Walks at Olin Park
October 9	Stephens Sprint

Where Did We Get the Water Wagon?

Madison’s one and only Water Wagon is truly an original. It was designed and created right here by Madison Water Utility employees. The wagon started out as little more than a sketch from a brainstorming session led by expert engineer Kelly Miess in the fall of 2011 – check out that stick man!

Then came a real design drawing from our talented welder/fabricator Mike Draper.

By January of 2012, construction was underway at our Paterson St. Operations Center.

Do those tap handles look familiar?

Design of tap handles look like a water tower

Finally, after months of planning, design and fabrication, the Water Wagon debuted at the 2012 Ride the Drive and has been quenching thirsts across Madison ever since. Take a look our weekly Water Wagon schedule to find out where you can find us. Stop by and say hi, and help yourself to a drink of clean, refreshing and reliable Madison water!

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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.