1.4a ERMUSR 05-09-2023The Importance of Municipal Utilities
I wake up in the morning and turn on the light. A utility. Then, I head to the bathroom
and use the toilet and as always, I wash my hands afterward. I wet my toothbrush and brush my
teeth. Wash my face using the water from the sink. Another two utilities. Next, I go to the
kitchen to make breakfast and head to the refrigerator to grab the milk. Yet another utility. I do
not believe this morning routine is any different than anyone else and it verifies just how much
we as a society rely on utilities in our day-to-day lives. The City of Elk River and I have
electricity, water, trash, and recycling services; and it is all made feasible by the Elk River
Municipal Utilities (ERMU).
Every day we use utilities such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, internet, trash, and more.
Some of those utilities can harm the environment, which is why Elk River Municipal Utilities is
such a remarkable institution. They offer rebates on sustainable utilities that both save you
money and protect the environment. Some of those rebates to which my household has beneiitted
from include the purchase of energy -efficient appliances, air conditioning tune-ups, and electric
vehicle chargers. These rebates make utilities more inexpensive so people can put more
environmentally friendly utilities into their homes and know they are making a difference in our
community and the future of its residents.
Elk River Municipal Utilities has five core values: Integrity, quality, communication,
safety, and competition. These values make this local utility company more reliable. Its
customers know that Elk River Municipal Utilities will be honest and accountable in all aspects
of what they do. By supplying quality electricity, water, garbage, and recycling services that
benefit the local residents, Elk River Municipal Utilities make life easier for those in the
surrounding areas. The open communication between the company and its customers, the
3
assurance of mind that the utilities will be effectively provided, and knowing that the customers
are getting the best deal for the services all make the purchasing of utilities easier.
Today, ERMU provides electricity to more than 12,300 customers and supplies water to
almost 5,300 customers. Elk River Municipal Utilities supplies electricity and water to not only
the people of Elk River, but also surrounding areas such as Otsego, Big Lake Township, and
Dayton. The members of those communities are who ERMU relies on to provide feedback to use
to make their customers' lives that much easier. Having a local municipal utility provider keeps
local control over how the utilities are provided within the community. By using local resources
to meet local needs, ERMU offers special programs that benefit the citizens of that area.
Elk River Municipal Utilities has the public's interest at heart and strives to provide the
most affordable, reliable, and sustainable services. The local ownership of ERMU puts the
money customers invest in their utilities back into the community, both through the local
economy and with the potential to create new jobs for residents. The Elk River community's
values are as follows: integrity, professionalism, honor, compassion, and dedication. All these
principles can also be found at ERMU, which is why my hometown benefits from having such a
distinguished municipal utility company that has earned multiple awards for its excellence in
reliability, smart energy, public power, and safety. Now everytime I brush my teeth or take out
the trash, I think about the standards that Elk River Municipal Utilities holds itself to and I know
that my household will continue to be supported by them.
51