Water Utility of the Future: East Bay Municipal Utility District

Executive overview

Key findings

US$2.86 billion: Water System capital cash expenditures projected for FY 2026–FY 2030, about 15% above the prior five-year plan; a further US$496 million is projected for wastewater

About 18,000 of 395,470: meters on advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) in EBMUD's July 2022 grant application; a US$5.0 million federal grant awarded in September 2023 part-funds a project to add AMI endpoints on about 40,000 more meters; completion not confirmed

10,264 MT CO2e: emissions reported for the carbon neutrality indicator in FY 2026 (15,583 in FY 2025), against an FY 2028 "Exceeded" threshold below 6,153 MT CO2e

2.51 times: Water System revenue bond debt service coverage in FY 2026 (audited), against a policy floor of 1.6 times, with total long-term debt up 8% to US$3.7 billion

Buyer relevance

Who the report is for

Metering, data and control-system suppliers

See how far EBMUD's AMI network reached, what the September 2023 federal grant was to add and which SCADA, plant-control and reporting systems the Board bought in 2026.

Engineering and construction firms

Track the pipe renewal rate against the aim of 30 miles a year by FY 2029 and the revised completion dates at the Orinda and Upper San Leandro treatment plants.

Municipal bond investors and credit analysts

Compare FY 2026 audited coverage of 2.51 times with the bond projections of 2.10 and 1.83 and the borrowing assumed each year to FY 2030.

Energy and decarbonization partners

Weigh the FY 2026 emissions of 10,264 MT CO2e against the FY 2028 threshold below 6,153 MT CO2e and the 2031 hydropower relicensing.

Decision scope

Questions answered

How much of EBMUD's meter base is on advanced metering?

About 18,000 of 395,470 meters in July 2022, about 4.6%; a US$5.0 million grant awarded in September 2023 targeted about 40,000 more.

How fast is EBMUD replacing pipe?

It replaced 26.0 miles in FY 2026 and aims for up to 30 miles a year by FY 2029; about 214 miles of mains have been replaced since FY 2015.

How will the water capital program be funded?

Of the US$2,858.0 million planned for FY 2026 to FY 2030, bond proceeds are US$1,390.0 million (49%) and revenues US$1,153.0 million (40%).

What nutrient limit must the wastewater plant meet?

A final limit of 3,300 kg a day of nitrogen from October 1, 2034, a 65% cut from its 2022 load, after an interim limit of 11,000 kg a day.

Inside the report

Inside the complete report

Executive Snapshot

1. From Service Provider to System Operator

2. System Intelligence and Digital Control

3. Energy, Carbon, and Resource Decoupling

4. Infrastructure Strategy for a Non-Stationary Climate

5. Customers, Demand, and the Water Prosumer

6. Governance, Regulation, and Institutional Reform

7. Capital Planning and Financial Architecture

8. Workforce, Capability, and Organisational Change

9. Strategic System Roadmap

Conclusion

Source Register

Public preview

What to watch next

7. Capital Planning and Financial Architecture

The FY 2028–FY 2029 budget and Proposition 218 proposal in spring 2027; the FY 2027 bond issue; FY 2027 coverage against the 1.83 projection; delivery of FY 2027 capital against US$598.8 million budgeted.

4. Infrastructure Strategy for a Non-Stationary Climate

Miles replaced in FY 2027 and FY 2028; Orinda and Upper San Leandro completion dates; any decision to advance the Mokelumne Aqueducts Resiliency Project; the new climate change study launched in 2025 for water supply planning.

2. System Intelligence and Digital Control

A Board decision on large-scale AMI deployment; a close-out report on the Phase 2 collectors and 40,000 endpoints now that the grant period has ended; whether the pumping station energy pilot launched, and its results.

9. Strategic System Roadmap

The capital forecast in the FY 2028–FY 2029 budget, especially whether nutrient compliance stays within it; an AMI deployment decision; the first annual nitrogen reports under the third permit.

Report page showing a table of EBMUD's FY 2026–FY 2030 Water System capital program by category in US$ million, followed by a table of funding sources and wastewater capital figures. — Sample page · page 11 of 18
Capital planning: the FY 2026–FY 2030 Water System capital program by category and its funding sources.

Included

What you receive

The complete PDF report: 18 pages, 12 sections, 19 tables and a register of 26 sources.

This edition

November 2026, First edition.

Evidence & method

Evidence and method

The report draws on EBMUD's 2026 water and wastewater bond Official Statements, its FY 2026 audited financial statements and annual financial reports from FY 2016 to FY 2025. It also uses the District's climate action plans, Urban Water Management Plan, performance indicator reports, 2026 Board action summaries and budget workshop materials, and its federal AMI grant application and award.

Sources

26 sources, listed in the report's source register. Evidence current to 6 November 2026. Principal data periods: FY 2026 audited results (year ended June 30, 2026); FY 2026–FY 2030 capital forecast; FY 2025 and FY 2026 performance indicators; 2026 water supply, bond and Board decisions. All currency is US dollars..

Evidence boundaries

This report uses authoritative source material available at the stated research cutoff. It distinguishes published facts, calculated values and analytical interpretation. No independent modelling is performed. Forward-looking analysis reflects published plans, documented trends and stated uncertainties. It does not constitute legal, financial, investment or engineering advice.

Lead analyst

Robert C. Brears

Founder, Our Future Water Intelligence

Robert C. Brears is a water-security specialist and author whose work examines utility governance, infrastructure investment, climate resilience and long-term water-system change for executive and policy audiences.

Decision-focused utility intelligence
Published water-policy author
Evidence-grounded system analysis

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