Madison Reporter

Madison Water Utility Service Representative Sarah Johns is among the women being recognized during National Women in Construction Week, which runs from March 2-8, 2025. Johns is responsible for replacing water meters in homes and commercial buildings throughout Madison, ensuring they are accurate for billing purposes.

Johns describes her method of working with water meters: “What I like to do—is usually take a flathead screwdriver and make space between the flange and the meter set, and sometimes with the water pressure it holds pretty tight.”

Many homeowners are unaware of their water meter's location or function. “Quite often they [homeowners] don’t know where their water meter is, especially since it hasn’t been changed in 20 years,” Johns said. Her role involves visiting five to six properties daily to replace these meters.

The replacement cycle for water meters varies based on size, with residential meters typically swapped every 20 years. Johns explains how they work: “What happens is water flows through it, there is a disc inside of it that actuates, and it basically measures water through displacement.”

Beyond technical skills, Johns emphasizes communication as key to her job. “I know how to make someone comfortable when I’m entering their home,” she said. Her background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and experience at the Madison Public Library.

Reflecting on her career shift from library work to construction, Johns notes the importance of visibility for women in non-traditional roles: “It’s important to highlight jobs and opportunities out there that you may not think of initially because the people you see out there in those positions may not look like you.”

Johns acknowledges that construction remains male-dominated but sees events like Women in Construction Week as vital for raising awareness about opportunities available to women. She recalls initial challenges but found support from colleagues and family crucial: “My sister has always been a cheerleader for me.”

Highlighting her experiences, Johns concludes: “I think it shows how strong women are, and they can be doing same work that men are doing.” As she continues her work replacing meters across Madison, she represents a growing presence of women in construction fields.

The City of Madison celebrates five women's contributions during this week-long event dedicated to recognizing female professionals' impact within the industry.