Water is available at the Waukesha County Rental Gardens shortly after the Gardens open in the spring until the first predicted freeze in the fall or when the Gardens close in October, whichever is first.
The water is supplied to the Garden from a nearby city fire hydrant and the Gardens are billed for all water used. Water runs from an apparatus attached to the fire hydrant through hoses to the water sites along the north side of the road in the Gardens. Water runs from the north side through hoses that run under the road and then above ground through the Gardens to the water connection sites on the south side of the Garden.
Each water site has one connection for a hose to be hooked up and one short hose for filling buckets and watering cans.
Connecting and disconnecting your hose
- Extend your hose from your plot to the water site
* DO NOT tug or yank on your hose once it is connected to the water supply, this may loosen (or damage) the hose connection apparatus and cause water to leak. - When you are ready to use the water, attach your hose to the connection and turn on the water by flipping the on/off switch for the hose connection to allow water to flow into your hose
- When you are not actively using the water, turn the water off and disconnect your hose so that other gardeners can use the connection
- After disconnecting your hose, look at the water supply connections to make sure using and removing your hose didn’t loosen any connections and create a leak. Tighten connections if needed.
- Remember, there are NO SPRINKLERS or soaker hoses allowed at the Gardens.
Again, only have your hose connected when you are actively using it.
Please do not yank or tug on your hose to stretch it to your garden while it is connected to the water!
In case of a water leak
Most leaks are caued by loose connections. Try tightening the connection to stop the leak. Use a plyers if necessary.
If you are unable to stop the leak, shut off the water to the leaking location by flipping the switch to that spot. (The goal is always to shut the water off nearest to the leak so as much water as possible stays on for gardeners to access.) If the water source hose is where the leak is, the water needs to be turned off at the "feeder" location.Then call (262-548-7775) or email the Extension office to let them know about the leak.
Water connections
Each water site is equipped with a large Y connector. The bottom of the Y connector is the source of the water for that site. The black switches at the base of the large Y connector at the water site turns water on and off for each arm of the Y.
For water sites on the north side of the Garden:
There is one set up for the east and west water sites and a different set up for the center water site.
The center water site (see photo) has a smaller Y connection off each arm of the large Y connector. One side has the short hose to fill a bucket/watering can and a spot to connect a hose. The other side has two hoses, one feeding water to the east water site and one feeding water to the south center site. There is an on/off switch to each hose and hose connection.
The other two north water sites have only one smaller Y connector. That connector has the short hose attached for filling buckets or watering cans and a hose that feeds water to the site to the south. There is an on/off switch for each of those connections. The other arm of the Y is the connection for a personal hose and the on/off switch is at the base of the Y.
For water sites on the south side of the Garden:
The setup at the south water sites is simple. One arm has the short hose attached for filling a bucket or watering can. The other arm is to connect a gardener's hose. The on/off swtiches are at the base of the Y connector.
Please familiarize yourself with the set up at the water site nearest your plot.
If you see a leak at the Gardens, please turn off the water nearest the point of the leak and contact the Extension office ([email protected] and/or [email protected] or 262-548-7775) so the issue can be addressed. Refer to the section below on leaks for how and where to shut off water in different situations.