COVID 19

As a customer-owned utility, the safety of M.U.D.’s customers and employees is a top priority so we can continue to reliably deliver natural gas and water services.

If you need financial assistance with your utility bills, please visit this page. 

Sharing information about what we’re doing to reduce the risk of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) exposure is critical.

As part of our emergency preparedness plans, we activated a multi-level response plan to proactively address the situation. M.U.D. is following its Business Continuity Plan as it relates to pandemic preparedness, and is working closely with local, state and federal agencies.

We have plans in place to support our business operations. In addition, many of our employees are cross-trained to provide support to essential operations.

Protecting Customers

M.U.D. does not expect this health outbreak to disrupt service to our customers.

  • First and foremost, coronavirus has not been shown to be a water borne disease and our water distribution system has not been compromised.
  • We use multiple barriers of protection from pathogens including disinfection and filtration that remove viruses and other contaminants.
  • M.U.D. delivers only the highest quality water and meets all state and federal drinking water standards, which is detailed in our annual Water Quality Report available here.
  • Our dedicated team of water quality experts are continually monitoring the water system. Water samples are checked routinely over 1,000 times a day to ensure a safe supply for all the communities we serve.

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages the continued use of tap water, as COVID-19 has not been detected in drinking water supplies. EPA has established regulations with treatment requirements for public water systems that prevent waterborne pathogens such as viruses from contaminating drinking water and wastewater. COVID-19 is a type of virus that is particularly susceptible to disinfection and standard treatment and disinfectant processes are expected to be effective. Updated information from EPA on COVID-19 can be found here.

Customer service branch closed until further notice

For the safety of our customers and employees, M.U.D. is following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and asking customers to use alternate pay options to avoid person-to-person contact. The downtown customer service branch windows are closed until further notice, however the kiosks are available. We encourage customers to do business online or via email and phone. Here are additional ways to pay your bill:

  • Pay online
  • Call Customer Service at 402.554.6666 or toll-free at 800.732.5864 and use the automated system.
  • Mail check to M.U.D.
  • Use drop boxes for cash payments at the Operations Center, 3100 S. 61st Ave., Gate 1, or the Energy Plaza drop box near 16th and Harney St. (north side of building).
  • Use the kiosks at the downtown customer service branch.

 

Disconnections, late payment charges

Metropolitan Utilities District understands times have been difficult and has taken steps to assist its customers during the coronavirus crisis. On March 17, 2020 disconnections of gas and water services for non-payment were deferred to ensure customers had access to life-sustaining resources. To further assist customers, late payment charges were suspended beginning April 13, 2020.

As the nation began to reopen, M.U.D. took a slow approach in resuming disconnections and late payment charges:

  • Starting with the invoices dated July 6, 2020 and after, late payment charges recommenced if they are not paid by the due date on that bill.
  • Gas and water disconnections resumed October 1, 2020.

 

Financial assistance programs, payment arrangements

  • Residential customers in need of financial assistance, should contact the Nebraska Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Go online to ACCESSNebraska at dhhs-access-neb-menu.ne.gov/start or call 402.595.1258 (Omaha area) or 1.800.383.4278 (Outside Omaha).
  • Residents living outside of Omaha and Douglas County may be eligible for assistance through the State of Nebraska’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
  • If customers are not eligible to receive LIHEAP assistance, they are encouraged to call 402.554.6666 or visit the M.U.D. Utility Assistance page, This fund was established to assist customers suffering severe financial hardships.
  • M.U.D. is ready to assist all commercial and residential customers with past due balances. Customers are asked to call 402.554.6666 to make a payment or discuss payment arrangements. They also can pay online at www.mudomaha.com.

 

Don’t fall for scams. Scammers are taking advantage of the coronavirus outbreak to send fraudulent emails, texts and social media posts. Beware of scams asking for personal information or immediate payment, and never click on suspicious links or attachments. If you have questions related to your utility services, please contact us at 402.554.6666.

We understand that this situation can change, and we will continue to monitor city, county, state and federal guidelines to adjust and improve our response plan with the goal of protecting our staff and maintaining our core services to customers.

Protecting Employees

M.U.D. relies on its employees to deliver safe, reliable natural gas and water to the communities it serves. Out of an abundance of caution, we implemented precautionary measures to ensure the timely and effective operation of our systems, including:

  • Requiring employees to stay home if they have any form of illness that is contagious.
  • To further ensure safety and reliability, the District took the proactive step of temporarily isolating staff members at its three water treatment facilities.
  • Social distancing as a precaution, including:
    • Limiting external meetings, community meetings, conferences and business travel.
    • Limiting in-person meetings and instead using phone, video or web conferencing to collaborate.
    • Working from home for those whose job functions allow remote access capabilities.
    • Increased cleaning of our facilities.
    • Continued encouragement of good hygiene practices to stop the spread of germs.
    • Recommending the use of face masks and hand sanitizer by employees, visitors and contractors when in District job sites, facilities and vehicles.
  • Connecting employees with vaccination clinics, resources and information.

 

Public Meetings

Check our board meeting page for the latest information. Meetings are recorded and posted on our website for the community to access.

In addition, all tours, presentations and events by our Employee Speakers Bureau are currently suspended until further notice.

Stay Informed

We will post additional information here: