Madison Reporter

City of Madison crews, in collaboration with the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), are monitoring and staffing a critical lift station on the city’s north side, which has been operating on a backup generator since May 21, 2024. The power outage resulted from storms that hit the area, affecting the wastewater lift station located at 4100 Veith Avenue.

The City crew took over from MMSD personnel this afternoon after three days of continuous work. The portable backup generator will remain in use until Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E) restores power to the facility.

Lift stations play a crucial role in wastewater management by pumping sewage from low-lying areas to gravity sewers that transport it to treatment plants. The Veith Lift Station specifically serves 108 homes and the Mendota Mental Institute. Although generators can be noisy, they are essential for preventing sanitary sewer backups and potential overflows when primary power sources fail.

"We do not anticipate any issues with the generator or the need for tanker trucks for this power outage," stated a city official.

The City will continue to provide updates as crews address the aftermath of Tuesday’s storm. MG&E aims to restore power to the lift station by the weekend.