Emergency preparedness is critical to providing essential water and wastewater services to our community. EBMUD works year-round to protect people, water quality, the environment and property. That starts with planning ahead to minimize risks and improve our readiness to respond.
During these late summer months, dry conditions remind us to be especially vigilant of wildfire danger.
Municipal water systems are not designed to fight wind-driven wildfires, and such a scenario would require an interagency response. EBMUD coordinates with city and county agencies, fire departments, and other partners. We reduce risk through vegetation management and fire road maintenance on our watershed and hydrant testing throughout our service area.
We top off neighborhood reservoirs on red flag days to ensure firefighters have access to maximum water supplies. Back-up electrical generators are installed at major facilities, and we proactively deploy mobile generators and portable pumps to other sites when power shutoffs are anticipated or blackouts occur.
EBMUD prepares throughout the year so we’ll be ready to serve when you need us most. Learn more at ebmud.com/wildfire-preparedness.
EBMUD’s annual wildfire preparedness, by the numbers:
-
17
Meetings with fire departments, partner agencies and elected officials* -
150
Miles of fire roads maintained -
200
Acres of vegetation maintained with mechanical treatments -
10,000
Watershed acres grazed by cattle, sheep, goats and horses -
26,000
Acres of Mokelumne River Watershed actively under restoration -
31,000
Public fire hydrants in EBMUD’s service area -
24/7/365
When EBMUD operators monitor our system storage and water pressure
*so far in 2025
Be ready for emergencies and sign up for safety alerts.
EBMUD: ebmud.com/subscriptions
Alameda County: ACAlert.org
Contra Costa County: CWSAlerts.com/registration