2016

Don’t believe the hype that you can flush that so-called “flushable” wipe. Flush only the 3 Ps - pee, poo and paper. 3 Ps 3 ps pee poo paper wipes clog pipes three Ps Three P's three ps three p's Three p's Three ps 3Ps 3P's 3 P's 3 PS 3ps 3p's 3 p's 3 ps

Built in 1935, the Orinda Water Treatment Plant—the heart of the EBMUD water distribution system—is undergoing bypass surgery. Every day, this plant delivers more than 120 million gallons of great water to 800,000 customers. It keeps our Mokelumne supply filtered, treated and flowing to your taps.

You flush and the water disappears. But do you know what happens after water from your toilet goes down the drain? Take a tour of EBMUD’s Wastewater Treatment Plant in Oakland. We offer free tours for East Bay residents and students in middle and high school. Our expert tour guides will reveal how we keep the San Francisco Bay clean by treating wastewater and how you can take steps to protect the environment. Hint: toss those not-so-flushable wipes and other items in the trash, not the toilet.

Check out our water-wise friendly reminders

Following a big earthquake or if a pipe bursts in your neighborhood, you may be out of water. Our crews work fast, but repairs on broken pipes take time. One of the most important things you can do to prepare for emergencies—big or small—is having enough water stored for you, your family and pets.

This year, a 123-year-old pipe emerged in Oakland. Underground since 1893, it was still delivering water to customers. While pipes this old are rare, many parts of our system date back to the 1920s and 1940s when cast iron was the prime pipe material of its time.

Does your old toilet need replacing? Apply for a rebate at ebmud.com/toilet-rebates.

A big THANK YOU to our East Bay customers for doing their best to save water. You have made wise water use a way of life, and embraced habits or installed changes that will last for years.

This winter turned the tables on EBMUD’s historic four-year drought—for the wetter. Our reservoirs, thirsty for crisp mountain water, will refill thanks to snowmelt and precipitation in our Mokelumne watershed.

EBMUD has received reports from customers who are being phoned by individuals pretending to be EBMUD representatives.

June marks the 50th anniversary of EBMUD’s Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area, a destination that draws over a million visitors a year looking to hike, picnic, fish, or just enjoy a moment of solitude overlooking the water.

It’s the picture of summer: kicking your feet up and relaxing under a leafy tree. What would we do without our majestic maples and stately sycamores? They improve air quality, keep homes cool and make a patio or yard the perfect place to unwind.

After four years of drought, EBMUD made up for shortages last year by purchasing 19 billion gallons of water, or about a four-month supply of water, from the Sacramento River.

Water reaches your tap through an underground system of more than 4,200 miles of pipes called mains. When pipes leak, main breaks occur. Breaks can happen daily because of ground movement, corrosion, soil conditions or age. Last year, EBMUD crews fixed a record-breaking 1,155 main breaks—about three per day.

Even at the most water efficient homes, leaks can be frequent visitors. Be a leak detective this spring and find leaks hiding in and around your home.

During droughts, both people and fish have less water available than they’re used to having. Last year we preserved as much cold water as possible in our Sierra reservoirs for release during the fall salmon run in the Mokelumne River.

Turn on your tap and out comes the water. Simple, right?

You roll out of bed, take a leisurely shower, brush your teeth, make coffee, load the laundry and boom! Just like that, you’ve blasted through so much water… and it’s only 10 am.