EJ Water Cooperative Continues Growth Into New Decade

EJ Water Cooperative continues a pattern of growth into the new decade.

The cooperative, which began providing a dependable rural water source, is now branching out and providing fiber-to-the-home broadband service through a joint venture with Wabash Telephone Cooperative. About 700 EJ customers are now receiving broadband service through the venture.

EJ has undertaken more than 50 phases of growth since receiving its first USDA loan and grant in 1991. One of those projects is the construction of a 350,000 gallon water tower just outside of Neoga. The project is designed to provide members with improved water pressure and service, and is to be completed this spring. The communities of Windsor and Neoga will be receiving finished drinking water from the new tower, and EJ will be wholesaling water from the tower.

Those attending the recent annual meeting of EJ Cooperative members heard that a 19-year trendline of monthly water bills showed that the increase for EJ members is staying lower than increases in the Consumer Price Index. Members are paying an average $1.81/day for their EJ water service.

The membership also elected three members to the EJ Board of Directors. Those are Gail Garbe from District 1, made up of Effingham County and Cumberland County; P.B. Finley from District 2, made up of Clay, Jasper, Richland and Edwards Counties; and Jimmy Ayers from District 3, made up of Christian, Coles, Crawford, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie, Sangamon and Shelby Counties.

Members also heard that the annual average gallons billed per meter is declining, a major consideration when projecting future revenues.

EJ is now providing water to members in 13 counties, sending 3,120 miles of water main to 13,507 households.