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East Bay MUD presents rate and capital plan to county committee, emphasizes pipeline rebuild and customer assistance
Summary
East Bay Municipal Utility District told supervisors it is planning phased rate increases and large capital investments — including a plan to replace 27.5 miles of pipeline — while highlighting a customer assistance program for low‑income customers.
East Bay Municipal Utility District officials briefed the Alameda County Unincorporated Services Committee on May 28 about their proposed two‑year budget and planned rate changes, saying the agency must balance long‑term infrastructure needs with keeping water affordable.
Director Jim Odey introduced budget manager Sam Feldman, who described the district’s service area (about 1.4 million customers) and the twin priorities of infrastructure investment and fiscal restraint. Feldman said the district is prioritizing pipeline replacement — planning to replace roughly 27.5 miles in the current budget cycle — upgrades to treatment plants and reservoirs, and investments to build climate resilience. "One of the biggest capital expenses we will have over the next 10 years is replacing pipe," Feldman said.
East Bay MUD is proposing cost‑of‑service adjustments with rate changes effective July 1, 2025 and another scheduled for July 1, 2026. Feldman said the typical single‑family residential water bill will increase by only a few pennies per day (he cited approximately a 12¢ per day increase in 2026 for a median single‑family residence) and emphasized the district’s efforts to limit rate impacts where possible.
The district highlighted a longstanding customer assistance program that reduces water charges for eligible low‑income customers: Feldman described benefits that can include a 50% discount on water service charges and additional wastewater reductions for qualifying households, and said the program is funded by non‑rate revenues.
Supervisors thanked East Bay MUD for the presentation and noted related county and regional processes (a separate public hearing on Prop 218 rates and charges will occur at East Bay MUD on June 10 for their rate adoption schedule). No committee action was taken that evening on East Bay MUD rates.
