Rochester Public Utilities | Blog

Archive for September, 2010

Lake Zumbro hydro pictures from last week

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

Last week the Lake Zumbro hydroelectric dam had water measured at over eight feet over the crest of the dam. Below are pictures of the lake level at the normal operating level and then pictures from last week. All photos taken last week were taken by trained RPU staff.


the Lake Zumbro hydro at normal water level


Normal operating water level


Water below the dam


Water spilling over the top of the dam


A dumpster that floated down the current of the lake and over the dam

Geothermal Class- October 12th

Monday, September 27th, 2010

RPU is cosponsoring a community education class on residential geothermal heating and cooling on Tuesday, October 12 from 6:30-8:30 pm.  The class will provide you with geothermal basics: what it does and how it works and how the the technology uses the ground as a heating and cooling source. 

Whether you are building a new home or considering a new heating and cooling system for your present one, consider the economical and environmental advantages of geothermal technology.  The class will also discuss the RPU geothermal rate and rebate along with the 30% tax credit that is currently available.

To sign up for the class visit the Rochester Community Education website: http://activenet6.active.com/rochesterce/

RPU preparing for possible storms

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

RPU is preparing for possible storms approaching southeast Minnesota this afternoon and evening. All necessary RPU staff are preparing to support operations in the event of a storm. If the threatening storm system hits Rochester, dangerous situations may arise.

 

In the event of the severe weather knocking down trees or taking overhead power lines down, stay away from the debris and call RPU and/or law enforcement. Do not approach the area under any circumstances. If you lose electricity, please call RPU to report your outage. RPU crews will be dispatched as needed.

 

The RPU customer service phone number is 507-280-1500. For up to the minute notifications on outages, customers can follow RPU outage information on Twitter at “rpuoutages”.

New RPU water usage brochure

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Make sure to check our the new RPU water usage brochure. This step by step guide will provide tips on water conservation and will give you places to look to find where you might be using too much water throughout your house.

View water usage brochure

RPU receives the Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2009 Water Fluoridation Quality Award

Monday, September 20th, 2010

RPU has been awarded the Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2009 Water Fluoridation Quality Award.

The 2009 Water Fluoridation Quality Award recognizes those water systems that adjust the water fluoride concentration in drinking water and acheive a monthly average fluoride level that is in the optimal range for 12 months of a calendar year, as documented in the Water Fluoridation Reporting System (WFRS).

View announcement letter and certificate