Water Use Restrictions Easing July 1 –

The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) announced that it will no longer assess the 25 percent Stage 4 drought surcharge on customer bills beginning July 1, 2016. However, customers will pay a 7 percent rate increase approved by the board last year to fund ongoing services and investments in aging infrastructure. The average customer’s water bill will drop by $4.42 per month.

The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) established an Excessive Water Use Ordinance on April 28, 2015, effective May 29, 2015.  The penalties began as of July 1, 2015 with fines for single family homes consuming more than 1,000 gallons a day.  The Excessive Water Use Penalty, an ordinance that levied fines on customers who used more than 80 units of water per billing cycle, was suspended effective May 3, 2016. The ordinance will remain on the books if needed during future droughts.

Precipitation in EBMUD’s Mokelumne watershed, the main source of drinking water for 1.4 million customers, is more than 100 percent of normal in 2016. With the reservoirs refilling and water supply projections sufficient to meet demand, EBMUD declared an end to the drought emergency. However, customers must continue to observe the following:

Outdoor Watering Restrictions are in place until June 30, 2016. Some of these restrictions will be folded into EBMUD permanent rules. EBMUD asks customers to continue using water responsibly.

• Water outdoor no more than two days per week.

• No watering of ornamental turf on public street medians allowed.

• No washing of driveways and sidewalks; except as needed for health and safety.

• Use only hoses with shutoff nozzles to wash vehicles.

• Turn off fountains or decorative water features unless the water is recirculated.

• Use of hydrant water outside the EBMUD service area is prohibited.

• Use a broom or air blower, not water, to clean hard surfaces such as driveways and sidewalks, except as needed for health and safety purposes.

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