metropolitan utilities district

M.U.D. is a publicly-owned natural gas and water utility. Three features distinguish publicly-owned utilities from investor-owned utilities:

Low rates -- Click here to see annual gas use and cost for the average residential customer,
Service by those who work and live in the community, and
Local control over utility policies through elected directors from our service area.

Investor-owned utilities must divide their focus between stockholders and customers. Most of what is done by private utilities will be done to maximize shareholder returns.

Since our stockholders are our customers, our focus on "customers only" allows M.U.D. customer-owners to enjoy reliable, quality service at rates that are among the lowest in the United States.

Water Rates
The average M.U.D. residential customer uses 108,000 gallons of water per year. The cost for 108,000 gallons in 2008 is $225.51. Our customer-owners continue to enjoy among the lowest water rates in the Midwest.

One penny buys 10 gallons of M.U.D. tap water.

Rate Comparisons
January 2, 2008
for 108,000 gallons

% above M.U.D. rate

Cleveland, OH $396.79 76.0%

Kansas City, MO 390.96 73.4%

Council Bluffs, IA 385.92 71.1%

Indianapolis, IN 360.02 59.6%

St. Paul, MN 254.10 12.7%

Denver, CO 250.37 11.0%

Milwaukee, WI 232.56 3.1%

M.U.D.
225.51*

* Totals include service charge based on 5/8-inch residential meter. M.U.D.'s figure also includes the 2 percent in-lieu-of-tax payment to municipalities.

M.U.D. water meters measure use in ccfs and these are shown as billing units on the statement. One ccf = 100 cubic feet of water or 748 gallons.

Besides protecting a precious natural resource, wise water use also saves you money by reducing summertime water bills.

The minimum water use customer, who uses 61,000 gallons of water per year, will pay $155.61 in 2008. The residential customer uses 108,000 gallons of water per year at a cost of $225.51 or $18.79 a month. If you use 224,000 gallons of water per year, the cost is $444.81.

What you pay for water provides adequate system maintenance, offsets the rising costs of power and chemicals, and assures a safe drinking water supply.

Gas Rates

According to the Gas Facts, published by the American Gas Association, M.U.D.'s residential gas averaged $1.06 per therm in 2006. The national average was $1.31 per therm, 24 percent higher than the M.U.D. cost.

Rate Comparisons

cost per therm
% above M.U.D. cost per therm

Mid-Atlantic region $1.49 41%

Missouri 1.38 31%

U.S. average 1.31 24%

Kansas 1.28 21%

Iowa 1.20 14%

Pacific region 1.16 10%

Minnesota 1.13 7%

Nebraska 1.10 3%

South Dakota 1.08 2%

M.U.D.
1.06