Privacy Policy effective date: 11/01/2021
Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (District) respects the privacy of users of the District website (“Website”). The following District privacy policy (“Privacy Policy”) is designed to inform you, as a user of the Website, about the types of information that the District may gather about or collect from you in connection with your use of the Website. It also is intended to explain the conditions under which the District uses and discloses that information, and your rights in relation to that information.
Changes to this Privacy Policy are discussed at the end of this document. Each time you use the Website, however, the current version of this Privacy Policy will apply. Accordingly, each time you use the Website you should check the date of this Privacy Policy (which appears at the top of this document) and review any changes since the last time you used the site.
As a public entity subject to Wisconsin’s open records laws, information collected at this site becomes public record and may be subject to inspection and copying by the public, unless an exception in law exists. During your visit to the District’s Website, information that is not readily identifiable to an individual is automatically collected and stored. This information is used solely to improve our web services.
As a wholesale provider of wastewater services, we work primarily with our owner communities. However, individuals and businesses are critical to helping the District achieve its mission through pollution prevention efforts, smart water use, business development, etc. The District’s services are not targeted toward anyone under the age of 13. Users are cautioned that our unknowing collection of personal information from children online or by email is treated the same as information given by an adult, including the same rights to erasure subject to Wisconsin public records law.
Information collected and how it is used
If you do nothing during your visit to the District’s Website but browse, click on external links or download information, we may automatically collect and store the following information about your visit using cookies and third-party tracking and analytics tools. This information may include:
- The Internet protocol (IP) address and domain name used but not the email address. The IP address is a numerical identifier assigned either to your Internet service provider or directly to your computer. The Internet protocol address is used to direct Internet traffic to your computer;
- The type of browser and operating system you used and your connection speed;
- The date and time you visited this site;
- The webpages or services you accessed at this site; and
- The website you visited prior to coming to our Website.
The information we automatically collect and store is used to improve the content of our Website and to help us understand how people are using our Website and services. Most devices allow you to prevent location data from being sent to us, and we honor your settings. We analyze our Website logs to continually improve the value of the materials available on our site.
If during your visit to the District’s Website, you voluntarily provide information through an online-submitted form, application, survey or email, the following additional information will be collected:
- Your email address, your name and the contents of the message.
- Any information you volunteered in response to a survey, message, form or application.
The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video and graphic information formats you send us, including attachments.
How we use your personal information will depend on which information or services you request, how you use the information or services, and the choices you make in your settings. We use your email to respond appropriately. This may be to respond to you; to address issues you identify; to further improve our Website; to provide relevant newsletters, information, or certain email notifications, or to forward the message to another organization or government entity for appropriate action. Survey information is used for the purpose designated, though contact information associated with surveys may be used for the aforementioned purposes as authorized by you.
By submitting your information, you consent to the collection, use and sharing of your personal data as outlined under this Privacy Policy. In addition, you acknowledge and consent to the application of Wisconsin laws to the information and documents submitted.
Personal information and choice
“Personal information” is any information relating to an identified or identifiable person. Personal information includes personal identifiers such as an individual’s name, address and phone number. The electronic interaction logs are not considered personal information.
We collect no personal information about you unless you voluntarily provide information (i.e., sending an email, signing up for a newsletter, participating in a survey, applying for a job, etc.). If you choose not to participate in these activities, your choice will in no way affect your ability to use any other feature of our Website.
If personal information is volunteered by the user, then that information may be protected by law. However, you recognize that any information provided to the District will be governed by Wisconsin laws, which mandate record retention and disclosure requirements that may subject your information to public inspection and copying if not otherwise protected.
Public disclosure
In the State of Wisconsin, laws exist to ensure that the public has a right to access specific records and information possessed by governmental bodies such as the District, which is a municipal corporation. At the same time, there are exceptions to the public’s right to access public records that serve various needs; the privacy of individuals is included among these exceptions. Exceptions are provided by both state and federal laws. We strive to protect personally identifiable information by collecting only information necessary to deliver our services. All information collected on our Website becomes public record that may be subject to inspection and copying by the public, unless an exemption in law exists. In the event of a conflict between this Privacy Policy and the Wisconsin Open Records Law or other law governing the disclosure of records, the Wisconsin Open Records Law or other applicable law will control.
Access, correction and erasure of personal information
You can review any personal information we collect about you by making that request at the link below. You may unsubscribe to any subscription or list by using the link below. You may recommend changes to your personal information you believe in error by submitting a request below that credibly shows the error. If you believe that your personal information is being used for a purpose other than what was intended when submitted, you may contact us. In all cases, we will take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making corrections.
Cookies
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small amount of data, which may include an anonymous unique identifier, that is sent to your browser from a website’s computers and may either be used only during your session (a “session” cookie) or may be stored on your computer’s hard drive (a “persistent” cookie). Cookies can contain data about user movement during the visit to the website. If your browser software is set to allow cookies, a website can send its own cookie to you. A website that has set a cookie can only access those cookies it has sent to the user, it cannot access cookies sent to the user by other sites.
Cookies can be used to recognize you when you visit our Website, remember your preferences, and give you a personalized experience that’s in line with your settings. Cookies also make your interactions with our Website faster and more secure.
Choices about cookies
You can configure your browser to accept all cookies, reject all cookies, or notify you when a cookie is set. (Each browser is different, so check the “Help” menu of your browser to learn how to change your cookie preferences.)
The District uses a third-party database to store your electronic communications preferences; this provider uses its own cookies. We also use a third-party partner for submitting job applications; this provider uses its own cookies as well. The District also makes interactive GIS maps available; cookies may be used for these to render maps or produce data.
USERS WHO DO NOT WISH TO HAVE WEB COOKIES PLACED ON THEIR COMPUTERS SHOULD SET THEIR BROWSERS TO REFUSE WEB COOKIES BEFORE ACCESSING THE WEBSITE, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT CERTAIN FEATURES OF THE WEBSITE MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WITHOUT THE AID OF WEB COOKIES. WEBSITE USERS WHO REFUSE WEB COOKIES ASSUME ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY RESULTING LOSS OF FUNCTIONALITY.
Security
The District has taken steps to safeguard the integrity of its telecommunications and computing infrastructure. Security measures have been integrated into the design, implementation and day-to-day practices of the entire operating environment as part of its continuing commitment to risk management. This information should not be construed in any way as giving business, legal or other advice. This information should not be construed as warranting as fail-proof the security of information provided through District-supported websites and online profiles. This system is for authorized use only.
DISCLAIMER on our privacy policy
When you link to another site, you are no longer on the District’s Website, and this Privacy Notice will not apply. The District bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external sites. Contact the external sites with questions regarding their content.
This Privacy Policy is subject to change. We will post such changes as they occur. This Privacy Policy is effective as of and was last updated on the date listed above
Use of the District Website reflects acceptance of this Privacy Policy. If you do not accept the Privacy Policy, please log off the Website now.
For questions, comments or complaints regarding the District’s Privacy Policy, please contact us.
