5.3a ERMUSR 04-11-2023Elk River �j�
Municipal Utilities
"No
HOMETOWN PRIDE
I'm excited to be writing my first year -in -review letter as ERMU's new General Manager. I
joined ERMU last July, just after the Sherburne County Fair parade, after nearly 30 years
of public service in the military and public works fields. I was immediately impressed
by how many of our staff volunteered to march in the parade. I knew I was joining
an organization that was excited to get out into the community, but I was pleasantly
surprised by how much our staff enjoyed getting involved. In the last six months of 2022,
ERMU has participated in the Summer Safety Camp at Fire Station #2, Day of the Dozers,
Downtown Elk River Trick -or -Treat, and mock interviews at the high school, just to name
a few (check out the back cover for lots of fun photos).
As a publicly -owned company, I believe it's incredibly important that we are out in the community we serve. After
all, we are YOUR utility company. ERMU is here to provide hometown services, build on hometown strengths, anc
offer hometown solutions to meet your utility needs. Our mission is to provide our customers with safe, reliable,
and cost-effective utility services in an environmentally responsible manner. Our goal, however, is to accomplish
our mission by truly serving our customers through effective community outreach, focused public education,
and transparent multimedia communication. To that end, please let us know how we can better serve you in our
operational, outreach, or customer service efforts.
Lastly, in 2023 we'll be hosting an open house at our new Field Services Building. More information is forthcoming,
but we're excited to see you there!
- Marl? Hanson, General Manager
In the fall of 2022, after over a year of construction, crews moved into our new Field Services Building.
The expansion and upgrade to ERMU's field services facility near the Lake Orono Dam is designed to improve
operations, allowing us to better serve the community. ERMU took advantage of what experts called a 50-year low
in bonding interest rates to accommodate the much -needed growth. The new facility will offer secure storage for
ERMU vehicles and materials, improving their longevity and reducing replacement costs.
October 2020
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November 2022
HOMETOWN SERVICE
Our community depends on us to provide
exceptional service every day. Being part of a
national public utility network means our crews also
answer the call from other communities in times of
crisis. As part of American Public Power Association's
(APPA) Mutual Aid effort, a team from ERMU joined a
nationwide mobilization to restore power to Florida
residents impacted by the devastation brought on
by Hurricane Ian in the fall of 2022.
ERMU regularly monitors mineral levels in the Water, removes
potentially harmful elements, and treats the Water to ensure
quality and safety.
The Landfill Gas Plant has been operating since 2002,
When Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) and Elk River
Landfill (ERL) entered into a 20-year agreement to
convert the methane gas from the landfill into energy.
ERL and ERMU Worked Well together over the term of
this agreement, benefiting the community With local
generation, educational opportunities, and reduced
gas flaring during this partnership. Over its 20-year life,
the project netted $1.5 million, Which aided in ERMU's
ERMU team prepares to leave for Florida With APPA's mutual
aid effort in response to Hurricane Ian.
ERMU implements best practices to keep our
community safe and Works to ensure high -quality
drinking Water is there When you need it. The Wellhead
Protection (WHP) plan helps protect your drinking
Water from pollution by managing potential sources of
contamination. Updates to a WHP plan are made every
10 years. ERMU's plan updates Were completed in 2022
as part of the scheduled 2023 amendment, Which is
submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health.
At 10:32 a.m. on October 31, 202Z the final engine Was
ongoing goal to provide affordable energy. turned off as the agreement came to an end.
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Throughout the year, ERMU participated in a number of local events and outreach efforts. As a community -owned
municipal utility, we value these opportunities to interact with the people we serve, give back to both our local and
global communities, and inspire a new generation to learn more about the many benefits of hometown public power.
Summer Safety Camp
Night to Unite
Downtown Ell? River Trick -or -Treat
Sherburne County Fair Parade
Day of the Dozers
Feed My Starving Children