Frequently Asked Questions

Under current policy, if a membership is purchased after the line is constructed, the cost is $2,500.00. Additional penalty costs may be assessed if water service is requested for property where an easement has been refused. Prices are subject to change.

These are members under the number 4,000 that signed up prior to September of 1995. We work to serve these members with priority when we receive grants. This is often time consuming so we provide a Cost Share Extension Membership option for members to get water service sooner.

The new owner would pay a $25 transfer fee to transfer the membership into their name, a $100 reconnect fee, as well as the monthly minimums and any overdue payments missed since service was canceled. This amount will never go over $2000.

This is an option we provide to those that do not want to wait for water service, which can be a time consuming process. These members agree to pay a portion of the cost of constructing a water main to their property. Cost share projects can be shared with neighbors that are along the same road that lacks a water main. Along with the neighbors that agree to share the cost, the co-op will also help pay for the extension with 25% of the cost.

You or future owners may reinstate the membership, but there is a fee associated with reinstating a membership. Also, if there are late fees on the canceled account it is the responsibility of the member who wishes to reinstate the service to pay this. This cost will never go above $2,000.

EJ was formed in 1989, making our Co-op only 33 years old, which is young for a utility company. We have served the unserved and underserved areas through the years with grant funding and the Co-op had to match those grants with 40-year loans. While we have been able to pay off a few of those loans early, we still have millions of dollars in debt to pay off. Unfortunately, water is one of the most capital-intensive utilities. Capital Credits are generated from margins paid for operating expenses. Our current rate structure doesn’t support depreciation expense, therefore net income is not being generated and there are no capital credits to be allocated. Once the Co-op gets the debt paid off, margins will start to be generated and capital credits will be allocated to each member. The Board has recognized the importance of diversifying our revenue stream to help keep rates affordable and increase margins to pay off loans more quickly, which is why EJ offers a variety of contract services to other communities and has acquired more densely populated communities to spread out costs among more users.

​​The cooperative relies on the minimum payments members pay each month to pay back the debt of constructing the water mains. By canceling the membership the previous owner forfeited their water service as well as the responsibility of their monthly minimum.

To determine the total cost, the interested party/member pays a $200 non refundable deposit. Once the length is determined an exact cost will be provided so the party/member can decide if they want to continue with the project. The payment is used for materials and necessary construction permits. It is broken into two payments. The first is sent in with the Residential Users Contract. If the party/member does want to move forward, the co-op will help pay for the extension by covering 25% of the cost.

Under current policy, if membership is purchased prior to the water main being constructed, the cost is $1,000.00 ($150.00 sign up fee and $850.00 when the phase is approved). Prices are subject to change.

We do not do a final read of the meter up to the day of service (unless it’s a beacon). Other bills are prorated.