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Opposite: Engines at the historical power plant <br /> A History of Elk iver Municipal Utilities <br /> Elk River Municipal Utilities has seen tremendous change and growth throughout the <br /> past century. It all started with a businessman determined to bring power to the <br /> Village of Elk River. <br /> In June of 1915, Fred Waterman, businessman and real estate developer, <br /> incorporated the Elk River Power and Light Company, now known as Elk River <br /> Municipal Utilities. Construction began on the hydroelectric power plant, which <br /> included a 200 horsepower turbine engine housed by a 30 by 30 foot structure <br /> located next to the dam on Orono Lake. Elk River residents were anxious to <br /> enter the world of modern conveniences that electric appliances could provide. <br /> Incandescent lamps, flat irons, electric fans, vacuum cleaners; the possibilities <br /> seemed endless. That was just the beginning of our robust relationship with our <br /> beloved city of Elk River and surrounding areas. a. . � ` ' <br /> One hundred years later, ERMU serves more than 10,500 electric customers in the <br /> Elk River area, has 450 miles of electric lines, and had energy sales of 282,265,268 <br /> kWh in 2015. ERMU's water system now supplies water to approximately 4,800 <br /> customers with more than 110 miles of water mains. ERMU has played a Large part in <br /> shaping the community of Elk River and surrounding areas and it continues to grow. <br /> To read more about the history of the utilities, you can view "A History of Elk River <br /> Municipal Utilities" on our website. The history report, which highlights the past 100 <br /> years, was published in 2015. <br /> We are public power and-water; We are owned.by those <br /> Page 11 <br />