Central Reservoir Replacement Project

Overview

The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) is replacing its 154-million-gallon Central Reservoir in Oakland. Constructed in 1910 on a 27-acre site, it is bordered by 23rd Avenue to the west, Sheffield Avenue to the east, 25th Avenue/East 29th Street to the south, and Interstate 580 (I-580) to the north. The Central Reservoir is EBMUD’s largest distribution reservoir, providing emergency and operational storage to over 50,000 metered services from Oakland and Emeryville to the Oakland/San Leandro border, including most of the City of Alameda. Due to its age and declining functionality, the Central Reservoir will be decommissioned and removed.

The Central Reservoir Replacement Project (Project) will involve demolishing and replacing the reservoir with new tanks. The Project includes dismantling the current reservoir and materials storage building, as well as constructing three new 14- million-gallon concrete tanks, a new rate control station, a valve structure, service roads and site paving, a bioretention area, and security fencing, all within the existing reservoir property.

Community Benefits 

The Project will make water service more reliable, improve water quality, and simplify long-term maintenance by replacing the old reservoir and dam with a modern facility. This new facility will be built to match the elevation of other nearby reservoirs in the Central Pressure Zone. The higher elevation will give the Central Reservoir more flexibility, allowing it to help out when other facilities face issues, increase reliability by adding extra storage capacity to the water system, and improve water quality by adjusting the storage size and operating range to meet current needs.

Why We Are Doing This Project

EBMUD is a not-for-profit public utility here to serve you. We provide clean water within our service area, support the East Bay’s health and economy, and protect the environment. EBMUD is entering the most capital-intensive period in our history, with $2.8 billion in capital improvements. This project is one of many investments in our communities, using new technologies to ensure that our region’s people, environment, and economy thrive for future generations.

Timeline and Phases

In April 2021, EBMUD’s Board of Directors approved the Project and certified the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Request for Proposal for detailed design was issued in February 2024, with the award expected in Fall 2024. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in Winter 2028.

Contact

Community Affairs 
Email: construction-south@ebmud.com
Phone: 510-287-0544
 

Published studies and other resources