Elk River Municipal Utilities will be contracting with Carr’s Tree Service to perform tree trimming in the Otsego area beginning November 3 and Dayton area mid-November. This work is part of our ongoing effort to maintain safe and reliable electric service by keeping trees and vegetation clear of power lines. Maps of the planned tree trimming areas are linked below.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
It’s time to water your lawn to keep it green and healthy, but you don’t want to waste water. So, when is the best time to run your sprinklers and how much is too much, too little, or just right? WHEN TO WATER In our part of the country, research shows the best time to run your sprinkler is from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. when water pressure is high, wind is moderate, and the amount of water lost to evaporation is negligible. Watering early in the morning also reduces the chance of turf diseases. Not a morning person? No problem. Just install an automatic sprinkler system with a timer so you can keep counting sheep while your sprinkler gets the job done. TOO MUCH, TOO LITTLE, OR JUST RIGHT? According to the University of Minnesota Extension Service, the amount of water to apply depends on the soil type and its moisture content: On a loamy or silty soil, it’s best to apply around one inch of water once a week. Sandy soil typically requires one-half inch of water twice a week. Apply water slowly to clay soil, or at several different times, to allow time for it to soak in. How long does a sprinkler need to run to apply an inch of water? For the average-size hose, it takes two to three hours. The following is a good way to check the amount of water applied: Place small, straight-sided containers at different intervals in the sprinkling area. Catch the water for an hour. Measure the depth of water with a ruler. Over-watering your lawn can cause shallow roots, nutrient loss, weed growth and other problems. Install a sensor to measure rain levels and use a water gauge. The simplest way to check for over-watering is to use the screwdriver method. If you can insert a screwdriver into the soil easily (about six inches deep), your lawn has enough water.
Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) strives to provide quality and cost-effective utility services to its customers. As a part of that mission, ERMU routinely tests for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). ERMU has conducted PFAS testing in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) in 2021 and 2025. We are pleased to report that all results showed no detection above MDH guidance levels. Monitoring and Testing Proactive testing protects the health of public water system customers and is the first step to reducing risk from PFAS exposure. As part of its mission, ERMU upholds standards with routine testing of our water quality to ensure services reflect the excellence, dependability, and expertise on which our customers rely. The Minnesota Department of Health has been investigating the impacts of PFAS on groundwater since 2002 and conducts tests of community water systems. In 2021, the MDH began its Statewide PFAS Monitoring Project to evaluate whether PFAS levels across the state exceeded health guidelines. ERMU volunteered to participate in MDH’s 2021 PFAS testing. All sample results showed no detection above MDH guidance levels. In 2025, the MDH conducted another round of statewide PFAS sampling. Once again, all ERMU sample results showed no detection above guidance levels. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, a person who drinks water that is at or below the guidance levels would experience little or no risk for health effects. ERMU will continue to work with MDH to monitor and report PFAS levels in the system as we remain committed to the health and safety of our community. Contact us to learn more about PFAS or our high-quality water standards. Additional Resources Elk River Municipal Utilities Water Quality Reports Minnesota Department of Health - PFAS Information Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the General Manager of Elk River Municipal Utilities, located at 13069 Orono Parkway, PO Box 430, Elk River, Minnesota 55330 until 2:00 PM, on July 31, 2025, for the East Substation Foundation Installation for Elk River Municipal Utilities, Elk River, Minnesota. At said time and place, bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. The Elk River Utilities Commission will consider and possibly award a contract at its next regular scheduled monthly meeting following the opening of the bids. Proposals shall be submitted in sealed envelopes and addressed to: Elk River Municipal Utilities Attn: Mark Hanson, General Manager 13069 Orono Parkway, P.O. Box 430 Elk River, MN 55330 and shall be endorsed: Bid Enclosed – East Substation Foundation Installation The proposed construction is described in general as follows: The project includes installation of the pier and slab type foundations at the East Substation in Elk River, MN. The above work shall be in accordance with the specifications and proposed form of contract now on file in the offices of Elk River Municipal Utilities, Elk River, Minnesota, by this reference made a part hereof, as though fully set out and incorporated herein. The Contractor and all subcontractors shall submit to the Owner a signed statement verifying compliance with each of the criteria described in the State of Minnesota “Responsible Contractor” law as codified in Minnesota Statute section 16C.285. See Instructions to Bidders for more details. Contractors desiring a copy of the bidding documents for individual use may obtain them from www.questcdn.com . You may download the digital plan documents for $22 by inputting the Quest project #9761204 on the website’s Project Search page . Please contact QuestCDN.com at 952-233-1632 of info@questcdn.com for assistance in free membership registration, downloading, and working with this digital project information. An optional paper set of the proposal forms and specifications for individual use may be obtained from the office of the Engineer, DGR Engineering, 1302 South Union Street, PO Box 511, Rock Rapids, IA 51246, telephone: 712-472-2531, fax: 712-472-2710, email: dgr@dgr.com, upon payment of $150, none of which is refundable. All bids shall be made on proposal forms furnished by the Engineer and shall be accompanied by bid security in the form of a certified check or Bid Bond, made payable to Elk River Municipal Utilities, in the amount of ten (10) percent of the bid, which security becomes the property of Elk River Municipal Utilities in the event the successful bidder fails to enter into a contract and post satisfactory Performance and Payment Bonds. Payment to the Contractor will be made on the basis of ninety-five (95) percent upon certification of work completed; five (5) percent within thirty-one (31) days after final completion and acceptance. The construction shall be performed upon a Notice to Proceed issuance. Substantial Completion of the project shall be no later than October 31, 2025. See the “Construction Schedule” of the Technical Specifications for more details on construction timing requirements. Elk River Municipal Utilities reserves the right to defer acceptance of any bid for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days after the date bids are received and no bid may be withdrawn during this period. Elk River Municipal Utilities also reserves the right to waive irregularities, reject any or all bids, and enter into such contract as it shall be deemed to be in the best interest of the Utility. This advertisement is given by order of the Elk River Municipal Utilities, Elk River, Minnesota. Dated this 27th day of June, 2025. ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES ELK RIVER, MINNESOTA By /s/ Mark Hanson General Manager
Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) has received its electricity supply from the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) as a member since 2018. ERMU benefits from a diverse mix of energy sources, including wind, solar, biomass, and hydroelectric power. MMPA’s portfolio of renewable resources supports meeting the Minnesota Renewable Energy Standard (RES) and customer demand for renewable energy. The RES requires 25% of MMPA’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2025. Let’s take a closer look! Wind MMPA’s renewable energy portfolio includes wind energy from the Agency’s 44 MW Oak Glen Wind Farm , as well as power output from the 78 MW Black Oak Getty Wind Farm and the 110 MW Walleye Wind Energy Center . In addition, the Agency’s Hometown WindPower program locates wind turbines in our member communities, as well as at MMPA’s Faribault Energy Park. Elk River’s Hometown WindPower turbines can be found at the Plants & Things Recreation Complex. Wind power is one of the fastest growing energy sources worldwide, and it produces no carbon emissions or pollution. Biomass In 2013, MMPA built its 8MW Hometown BioEnergy (HTBE) facility located in the member community of Le Sueur. The facility utilizes anaerobic digestion technology to produce biogas from agricultural and food processing wastes. As one of the largest facilities of its kind in the U.S., HTBE produces dispatchable, renewable electricity, heat, and nutrient-rich byproducts. Solar In 2017, MMPA added the Buffalo Solar facility to its power supply portfolio. The 7 MW utility-scale solar project, located near the Agency’s member community of Buffalo, is comprised of more than 25,000 solar panels. The Agency purchases all of the output of the facility under a long-term contract. In addition, the Agency’s Hometown Solar program locates solar installations in our member communities, as well as at MMPA’s Faribault Energy Park. Elk River’s Hometown Solar array can be found at Elk River City Hall. Hydroelectric Two of MMPA’s member communities, East Grand Forks and Olivia , purchase a portion of their power from the Western Area Power Administration . Because it produces no waste and causes no carbon emissions, hydroelectric power is a sustainable form of energy. HOW POWER GETS TO YOUR HOME 
