East Bay MUD briefs Moraga council on water supply, wildfire readiness and infrastructure plans
Loading...
Summary
East Bay MUD Ward 3 Director Marguerite Young told the Moraga council that reservoirs are at or above average after recent storms, the district is investing in pipeline rebuilds and reservoir and pumping plant upgrades, and that it spends more than $2.5 million a year on fuel reduction and emergency readiness to support firefighting and watershed resilience.
Marguerite Young, Ward 3 director for East Bay Municipal Utility District, presented an overview of the district's operations, ongoing capital projects and wildfire preparedness at Moraga's Feb. 25 council meeting.
Young said East Bay MUD delivers treated Mokelumne watershed water via 4,200 miles of pipeline, stores roughly 6.25 million acre‑feet across its reservoirs and—after recent storms—was running at about 107% of average for this time of year. She outlined a multi‑decade capital program to rehabilitate aging pipelines and pumping facilities, citing the Fay Hill Pumping Plant reconstruction (target completion 2027) and upcoming tank replacements for Arroyo and Carter reservoirs.
On wildfire and emergency readiness, Young listed measures East Bay MUD has put in place since major regional fire events: pre‑filling reservoirs on red‑flag days, standardized hydrants, permanent emergency generators for critical pumping stations, vegetation management, controlled burns and coordinated planning with local fire districts. "We're spending more than 2 and a half million dollars a year on fuel reduction and emergency readiness," she said.
Young also discussed recycled water and groundwater projects, pilot programs in the San Joaquin Valley to address overdraft, and the district's community programs, including the Community Water Academy. She described a recently awarded management agreement for the Fiesta Valley (Cal Shakes) site, which will be run by a local nonprofit/for‑profit partnership as a multi‑genre venue and watershed education site.
Council members asked about water quality and treatment upgrades; Young said the Orinda treatment plant is being modernized with ultraviolet systems and other treatment steps aimed at reducing disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes.
Young closed by thanking the town and residents and offering to return with additional detail or tours of facilities.
