With wildfire season upon us, EBMUD is on alert for emergencies that could threaten critical infrastructure, harm watershed lands and damage water quality.
EBMUD manages 57,000 acres of open space in the East Bay and on the Mokelumne River watershed that feeds Pardee and Camanche reservoirs in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Our rangers and watershed staff work throughout the year to remove highly flammable vegetation, build and maintain fuel breaks, and coordinate with local fire departments to conduct prescribed burns and respond to blazes that could impact water supplies.
These steps help protect communities from wildfire threats to life and property. They reduce the risks of burn scar erosion that can impact water quality in rivers and reservoirs. And they support vibrant, healthy habitats for the wildlife that abounds on the lands and in the waterways we steward.
EBMUD is also prepared to keep our water flowing should wildfire risk trigger a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).
We maintain backup generators at critical facilities to ensure we have the electricity we need to treat and pump water through our distribution system. Similarly, we have backup power available at our wastewater treatment plant so that we can continue to protect public health and the San Francisco Bay around the clock.
To help protect yourself and your community from fire danger, be sure to clear weeds, thin trees and trim bushes to create defensible space around your home. Assist EBMUD in reaching you in an emergency by updating your contact information at ebmud.com/subscriptions.
Proper preparation makes us all safer in the face of wildfires. EBMUD is here to provide the water you count on, no matter the season.
Learn more about EBMUD’s fire safety strategies at ebmud.com/firesafety.