May 10, 2023

EBMUD's Proposed Budget And Rates To Invest In Water Infrastructure Of The Future $2.8B 5-year capital plan will improve reliability, environmental protection One hundred years ago, residents of the East Bay voted to create EBMUD to supply customers with clean, reliable water. As EBMUD begins its second century of service, its latest two-year budget proposes updated rates to fund critical investments in resilient, sustainable water and wastewater systems. EBMUD faces numerous challenges. Aging infrastructure needs continued maintenance and replacement. Climate change is driving bigger swings between severe droughts and intense storms. Water and wastewater systems must deal with emerging contaminants. And wastewater treatment must reduce stormwater infiltration and limit nutrients to better protect the San Francisco Bay. To meet these challenges, EBMUD is entering the most capital-intensive period in its history. Today, General Manager Clifford Chan recommended to the Board of Directors rates and charges that would help fund EBMUD’s $2.8B 5-year capital improvement program which includes: Substantial upgrades of water treatment plants Replacement and rehabilitation of aging pipelines and sewage collection systems Rebuilding neighborhood reservoirs Modernizing wastewater facilities EBMUD is proposing rate increases that would result in average single-family customer water bill increases of 19 cents a day when new rates take effect July 1 and another 21 cents a day beginning July 1, 2024. Rates for wastewater customers, who largely reside west of the Berkeley-Oakland hills, would rise 7 cents a day in fiscal year 2024 and another 7 cents a day in fiscal year 2025. These represent annual increases of approximately 8.5 percent in both FY 2024 and FY 2025. Actual changes in a customer’s bill would depend on how much water is used each billing period. EBMUD is a not-for-profit public utility, and customers’ rate dollars directly fund operations and capital improvements. Any additional revenue is reinvested in the system. “EBMUD rates must be sufficient to maintain and build our resilient and reliable water and wastewater systems,” Chan said. “EBMUD investments are vital for public health and essential to support the community and a strong local economy.” As EBMUD takes on these important infrastructure investments, the utility, like many others, is confronting inflationary cost pressures on equipment, chemicals, energy and labor. EBMUD is proud that the East Bay’s drinking water remains a great value at a little over a penny a gallon. For those who have trouble paying their water bills, we’re making our Customer Assistance Program easier to access. Information is available at ebmud.com/assistance. EBMUD’s Board of Directors will hold a public hearing June 13, 2023, to discuss and consider adopting the utility’s FY 2024/FY2025 budget and rates. More information can be found at ebmud.com/rates. About The East Bay Municipal Utility District The East Bay Municipal Utility District has a proud history of providing high-quality drinking water for 1.4 million customers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. EBMUD’s wastewater system serves 740,000 customers and helps protect the ecosystem of San Francisco Bay. EBMUD is a not-for-profit public agency established in 1923. For more information, visit ebmud.com Source: East Bay Municipal Utility District Like what you are reading? Sign up for our free newsletter SIGN ME UP