As winter takes hold in 2018, the Madison (Wisconsin) Water Utility prepares by looking back to the most extreme season on record

Broken mains result from record lows across the nation

In this week’s news briefs, a tragedy in Boston prompts immediate action by the state DOT, federal officials react to record rainfall in southern Florida, and Michigan municipalities report a mild winter.

Grappling with record-breaking cold, it was a busy winter for municipalities faced with freeze ups.

Water-usage tracking tools for property owners and advanced metering systems help Madison Water Utility prevent and identify frozen pipes before disaster strikes.

Initial reports uncovered $25 million in infrastructure damages. And that’s just the start for Wisconsin — a state hit hard by one of the harshest winters on record.