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SUMMER 2021THE CURRENT <br />ERMUMN.COM | 763.441.2020 | 13069 ORONO PARKWAY | PO BOX 430 | ELK RIVER, MN 55330-0430 <br />Elk River Honors Its Past <br />Elk River’s first water tower was <br />built in 1920 by the Minneapolis <br />Steel and Machinery Company. This <br />100,000-gallon storage tank was a key <br />to the growth of Elk River. In earlier <br />years, fires had frequently destroyed <br />parts of the town. Providing a reliable <br />source of water greatly reduced the <br />risk of catastrophic damage. <br />The Jackson Street Water Tower remained in service until 1986, when the new one-million- <br />gallon Freeport Street Water Tower was built. The well was ultimately capped in 1996 and by <br />2008 ERMU was evaluating whether the maintenance costs for the nonfunctioning water tower <br />would be better used in tearing down the structure. In 2012, the Elk River Heritage Preservation <br />Commission worked to have the tower listed in the National Register of Historic Places, which <br />opened up options for funding maintenance and long-term preservation. <br />Through a grant from the Minnesota Historical Society and funds provided by ERMU, the <br />101-year-old Jackson Street Water Tower has been restored to its original state, with a silver <br />structure, red roof, and block letters. This initiative helps ensure that this 137-foot monument to <br />Elk River’s past will stand well into the future. <br />Pederson Named Tom Bovitz Scholarship Winner <br />ERMU is proud to announce that Karl Pederson is the <br />recipient of the 2021 Tom Bovitz Memorial Scholarship, <br />awarded in partnership with Minnesota Municipal Utilities <br />Association. Karl, a senior at Elk River High School, wrote <br />a thoughtful and well-researched essay on the benefits <br />of municipal utilities, which was selected as ERMU’s local <br />winner. He then went on to place second in the statewide <br />competition, earning a total of $2,000 toward his post-secondary education! His essay, “The <br />Many Advantages of Municipal Utilities” can be found on our website. <br />Quality on Tap <br />Your 2021 Water Quality Report has information on where <br />your water comes from, how ERMU protects it, and the <br />results of water samples taken in 2020. Customers can find it <br />at: www.ermumn.com/services/water/water-quality-report. <br />Hard copies of the report are available upon request. <br />Courtesy of Sherburne History Center <br />OUR <br />MISSION <br />OUR <br />VISION <br />To provide our customers <br />with safe, reliable, cost- <br />effective, and quality <br />long-term electric and <br />water utility services. <br />To communicate and <br />educate our customers <br />in the use of utility <br />services, programs, <br />policies, and future plans. <br />These products and <br />services will be provided <br />in an environmentally <br />and financially <br />responsible manner. <br />Provide exceptional <br />services and value to <br />those we serve. <br />INTEGRITY <br />QUALITY <br />COMMUNICATION <br />SAFETY <br />COMPETITIVE <br />OUR <br />VALUES <br />121