Water Utility

City of Oshkosh Water Supply Service Area Plan

Under Wisconsin State Statutes, a public water system serving a population of 10,000 or more is required to prepare a Water Supply Service Area Plan (WSSAP). The WSSAP is a general planning document intended to be complimentary to community comprehensive plans, other more detailed water utility plans, and wastewater utility plans. The WSSAP presents information about existing water sources, water utility infrastructure, service area land use, historical water use, population projections, and future water demands.

The WSSAP does not propose to develop new or enlarged water supply sources nor expand treatment, storage, or conveyance assets. The WSSAP recommends the City's continued use of risk-based asset management and regulatory compliance drives to prioritize replacement of and the upgrade of existing assets.

The WSSAP is linked below. Comments on the WWSAP can be submitted to DPW@oshkoshwi.gov until Friday, March 13, 2026. Comments can also be provided at the Public Hearing to be held at the March 17, 2026 Plan Commission meeting at 4:00 p.m. in Room 406 of City Hall, 215 Church Avenue.

If you have questions regarding the City of Oshkosh WSSAP, please contact Assistant Director of Public Works / Utilities General Manager, Steve Gohde at (920) 236-5065.

• Water Supply Service Area Plan

Resources

Here are additional links and resources from the Oshkosh Department of Public Works Water Utility Division.

• Water Service Line Inventory
• Technical Glossary

Water Distribution System

Check out these helpful tips on how to keep your water system running correctly.

• Ways to detect a water leak
• EPA WaterSense Page – Ways to save on your water bill
• Prevent Frozen Water Pipes
• Protecting your home's drinking water

Bulk Water Application

Any individual, company, corporation, or entity who wishes to obtain bulk water must first complete an application for a temporary water meter, which can be found here.

Consumer Confidence Water Report

A Consumer Confidence Water Report (CCWR) is an annual report issued by public water systems in the United States, as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. The report provides consumers with important information about the quality of their drinking water and details any potential health concerns. Click here to view the 2024 CCWR.

Residential Cross Connection Survey

As part of a continued effort to provide safe water, Oshkosh Water Utility will be performing Cross Connection Surveys at each residence within the city.

The cross connection control program was set up to protect the public water supply system from potential backflow hazards. Backflow could allow unsafe water to get into the public water supply.

These inspections not only protect against hazardous connections to the water supply but are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Residential surveys are completed at no cost to homeowners and will consist of an inspection of the basement plumbing and any plumbing located outside the home. Some things we will be looking at are the drains on water softeners, hose bibs, laundry tubs, boilers, toilets, and other connection points, including irrigation systems. This assures compliance with the State’s Cross Connection Plumbing Code.

The most common residential non-complying plumbing fixtures are hose bibs not having backflow prevention. A simple installation of a hose bib vacuum breaker, which the Water Utility will supply, can often resolve this issue.

Oshkosh Water Utility would like to thank you for your participation in this program and for helping us provide safe water that meets Federal and State requirements.