NEWS & INFORMATION

Water Rate Adjustment Announced
The Board of Trustees recently adjusted the water rates for Emmetsburg customers. The rate change is being implemented to support the construction of a new water treatment plant. Plans for the new plant that will replace EMU’s existing facility are currently underway and construction is anticipated to begin this spring. Portions of the existing plant are anywhere from 30 to 100 years old, and the facility is in poor physical condition. It would require extensive renovation and repairs to meet current standards. Even more important, the average water demands of the community today are nearing the existing plant’s total capacity. More capacity will be required to serve projected needs in the future.

Though the utility has applied for grants and low-interest loans, and reserves in the amount of $300,000 to $400,000 will be expended for this project, it is necessary to adjust the rates to see the project to its completion.

While the overall rate adjustment is approximately 40%, customers will see a gradual adjustment over a three-year period of approximately 13% each year. This adjustment takes effect March 15, 2005.

The Board of Trustees also has adopted a new policy that prohibits the extension of utility services outside the city limits for residential use. The Board has found it an acceptable practice to charge a higher rate to customers receiving utility services outside the city limits than to residents within the city of Emmetsburg. Here is the new rate structure:

City Limits Water Rate
Base Monthly Charge: $7.00
0-600,000 Gallons: $2.00 per 1,000 gallons
Over 600,000 Gallons: $1.25 per 1,000 gallons

Outside City Limits Water Rate (Residential)
Base Monthly Charge: $10.50
0-600,000 Gallons: $3.00 per 1,000 gallons
Over 600,000 Gallons: $1.88 per 1,000 gallons

EMU appreciates the privilege of serving you. If you have any questions or need more information, contact us at 712-852-2550.

Time For a Tune Up
Get your air conditioner ready for the summer workout.  Have your system serviced by a professional now.  Energy savings can range from 15 to 30 percent immediately after servicing your unit.  Servicing includes cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils, adjusting the refrigerant charge, cleaning the evaporator blower wheels, and cleaning or changing the filters.

Keep Your Meter Clear
A reminder to all residents:
Be sure your gas meters are easily accessible to meter readers.  Please trim grass, weeds, and bushes away from the meters.  Never enclose the meter with a fence or tie dogs near the meters so that the reader has difficulty accessing them.

Call Before You Dig
If you’re planning a project that will involve digging 15 inches or deeper on your property — building a fence, planting a tree, etc. — remember to put a call to IOWA ONE CALL on your plans list.

Remember:  One careless scoop of the shovel and you could knock out services to your home or neighborhood.  Even worse, you could be severely or fatally injured if you come into contact with an underground line.

IOWA ONE CALL is a free service that will notify the utilities to come mark the location of any underground lines.  Then you’ll know where — and where not — to dig.  You must call IOWA ONE CALL at least 48 hours in advance of your project (not counting weekends and holidays).