March 13, 2025
EBMUD and Alphabet Rockers drop "H2FLOW" music video in honor of World Water Day
The song debuted on YouTube Kids as a spotlighted feature
OAKLAND, CA – The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) announces the release of “H2FLOW,” a music and video collaboration with the Grammy Award-winning Alphabet Rockers and Oakland elementary school students to celebrate World Water Day on March 22, 2025. Watch the H2FLOW music video.
To support World Water Day, a United Nations observance that promotes access to safe water, EBMUD partnered with musical powerhouses Tommy Soulati Shepherd and Kaitlin McGaw of the Oakland-based Alphabet Rockers to sing the story of water. Featuring a blend of rap and rhythm, this song highlights the journey of each drop from the Mokelumne River to the tap and encourages listeners to skip bottled water and “drink the clean water flow - just like that.”
“We set out to create a love song to water and celebrate what this vital resource brings to our community,” said McGaw. “Music inspires, and our goal for this song is to empower people to cherish and protect every drop of water.”
A class of 27 students from Piedmont Avenue Elementary School in Oakland visited EBMUD facilities and participated in a songwriting workshop to inspire the lyrics for “H2FLOW.” A visit to San Pablo Reservoir and a tour of a water treatment plant, offered students behind-the-scenes experiences to learn about the source, treatment and delivery of high-quality drinking water.
"This was an unforgettable opportunity to be scientists and songwriters – from testing the water at the reservoir to writing verses for this song,” said Dexter Coleman, Piedmont Avenue Elementary School teacher. “Our kids connected science and artistry to create something truly moving.”
During the workshop, led by Shepherd and McGaw, students learned about song structure and helped write verses about the different stages of the water journey. This effort culminated in students singing the chorus in “H2FLOW.”
This musical endeavor is part of EBMUD’s revitalized education program that offers experiential learning opportunities including school field trips, facility tours, webinars, public events and a Community Water Academy. The program supports a key pillar in EBMUD’s mission to preserve and protect the environment for future generations.
"This song invites young minds to connect with water, science and sustainability in a lyrical way,” said EBMUD Board President Marguerite Young, of Ward 3. “We’re proud of this song and the opportunities we offer to inspire a new generation to protect our most precious resource – water.”
Alphabet Rockers will perform “H2FLOW” live at the Oakland Roots Soccer Club Earth Day event on Saturday, April 19, 2025, 1 p.m.
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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.
GRAMMY-winning Alphabet Rockers make music that sparks change. Kaitlin McGaw (she/her) and Tommy Soulati Shepherd he/him/they), are visionary artists and leaders who create a culture of belonging for all of us to thrive. www.alphabetrockers.com.
2023 GRAMMY-winners for their album, The Movement, they also received GRAMMY nominations for three of their previous albums. They are nationally renowned children’s book authors, influential media creatives, keynote speakers and resident artists of esteemed programs such as the Othering & Belonging Institute, Destiny Arts Center, and HiiiWAV.
They have reached over five million families since 2007; "H2Flow" is the first song for their upcoming album on climate liberation.