2007 Electric System Improvements

Algona Municipal Utilities Electric Department has planned an extensive reconstruction project for 2007 and early 2008 that will involve several areas of Algona as indicated in red on the map below. A contractor will begin work on or around June 1, 2007 . The construction project involves the removal of all the old 2400 volt electric facilities and installation of new underground electric wires and associated equipment. 

 The project will be completed by using a variety of digging equipment including a directional bore machine, trenchers, and back-hoes. The amount of disturbance to the lawns will vary depending on our design as well as existing buried facilities that we are able to use. Keep in mind that some digging on your property is guaranteed. Our contract does include lawn restoration; and that includes raking, compacting, top dressing if needed, and seeding. No sod will be purchased for this job. Some new pad mounted equipment will be placed at the alleys or along the streets, and possibly encroaching on private property. Unfortunately the poles will also remain as there is a utility other than Algona Municipal Utilities still using the poles.

Underground utility line locates will be called in first and you will see paint and flags showing the existing buried utilities. Please leave flags in place when mowing and completing work in your yard. This will help in any unnecessary delays for locates. If you have any buried private lines or equipment such as garage wires, cisterns, irrigation lines, or maybe a fenceless dog kennel, please contact AMU so we can be sure to not damage them.

This major project will require some participation from the property owners to hire a licensed electrician to complete the actual electric service conversion at the house or business. Each meter entrance is different and will be handled on a case by case basis. In general, the property owner will contact an electrician, who will then work with the Electric department at AMU to remove the existing overhead line, remove the old meter socket from the house, install a new AMU furnished meter socket, connect all existing wires (provided the wires are in good shape), connect the new underground utility line and energize.

Some homes and businesses may have very aged equipment and that electric equipment owned by the property owner may need to be updated to comply with current electric standards. This is why it will be necessary for the property owner to visit with a licensed electrician of their choice to discuss their specific situation. To further assist the property owners with this burden, AMU has elected to pay a portion of the electrician’s bill up to 50% of the total not to exceed $ 75.00 for residential and commercial single phase customers and up to 50% not to exceed $250 for commercial/industrial three phase customers.  A copy of the electrician’s bill will be required for AMU to reimburse a portion of your costs.  AMU’s reimbursement will only be for work directly related to the conversion.

Our first priority will be to get all wire installed to the houses and come back at a later date to complete the actual conversion. At the time of the conversion we expect a short power outage. Depending on weather we have worked as late as October or November in completing some conversions.

In some cases AMU personnel will need to discuss an alternate meter location and/or need to remove some concrete in order to complete the electric service conversion.

Please contact AMU at 295-3584 and ask for Rod if you have any questions or have information regarding private buried facilities on your property.

Our goal is to complete this project with 100% support and minimal inconvenience to our consumer owners.  

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