Oakland, May 12, 2026
EBMUD names Board room in honor of William “Bill” Patterson
The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Board of Directors unveiled signage and a commemorative plaque to rename the District’s boardroom as the William “Bill” Patterson Boardroom. The boardroom, the agency’s central venue for public governance and decision-making, is located in EBMUD’s Oakland administrative building. The dedication commemorates Patterson’s 27 years of commitment to equity, public health, social justice and the environment.
“Bill Patterson was an extraordinary community leader, whose legacy at EBMUD will continue to inspire us to put public service first, as he did throughout his decades of service,” said EBMUD Board Vice President Valerie Lewis, of Ward 6, who spearheaded the renaming effort in honor of her predecessor. “His example demonstrates the positive impact one person can make. We are honored and humbled to walk in his footsteps.”
Mr. Patterson served on the EBMUD Board of Directors from 1997 to 2024 and was the first African American to serve as EBMUD Board President. Among his contributions on the board, Mr. Patterson drove policies for lead testing in schools and daycare centers, leading to the landmark 2006 California legislation, “Get the Lead Out,” which later became a national campaign by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Mr. Patterson also served on the boards of the Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Authority, where he championed protection of the EBMUD watershed in the Sierra Foothills, and the Freeport Regional Water Authority, where he steered efforts to build an emergency water supply facility to deliver supplemental water supplies to the East Bay during droughts.
“Director Patterson was a true inspiration,” said EBMUD Board President Luz Gómez. “May we continue his legacy of collaboration and respect, holding ourselves to a higher standard and championing this wonderful organization."
Mr. Patterson was a renowned civic champion in Oakland and beyond. His leadership with the Oakland NAACP and other community organizations reflected his lifelong commitment to inclusion, access, and public investment. Mr. Patterson passed away October 21, 2025, at age 94. “EBMUD remembers Director Bill Patterson, longtime advocate for the East Bay.”
EBMUD is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors publicly elected by the residents within the agency’s service area. Board meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Agendas and live-streams are available at ebmud.com/board-meetings. The public is invited to participate at all public meetings by submitting a public speaker card at the start of the meeting.
Visuals: This media link contains portraits of EBMUD Board Director Bill Patterson and video from the unveiling. Please credit EBMUD.
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The East Bay Municipal Utility District has a proud history of providing high-quality drinking water for 1.5 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.
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