East Bay Municipal Utility District Research Articles

Controlling Organics: The East Bay Municipal Utility District Experience

Ongoing investigations by the East Bay Municipal Utility District indicate that maximum trihalomethane levels in its finished water can be reduced by half through modifications in existing chlorination practices. Should the total trihalomethane MCL be lowered to less than 50 μg/l, however, additional treatment will be required.

Water Treatment Sludge Disposal—How and Where—

Having been informed in 1964 by the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board that the East Bay Municipal Utility District must ceasee and desist, in accordance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, from the discharge of all water treatment plant wastewaters to water of the U.S. the District initiated an investigative program to determine the best available technology to process water treatment plant wastes and dispose of them and thus eliminate all waste discharges to San Francisco Bay. Three broad lines of action have been pursued: (1)Pilot testing of commercially available mechanical devices for the purpose of dewatering alum sludge; (2)determination of low cost/maximum benefit of modifications and additions to existing water treatment facilities for sludge processing, or both; and (3)determination of the extent to which the planning and constructing of sludge processing and sludge dewatering facilities should proceed in order to be compatible with the addition of possible future improved methods and devices.

Effects of the California Drought on the East Bay Municipal Utility District

In the wake of California's severe drought, the East Bay Municipal Utility District imposed successful conservation measures designed to cut water use by 35 per cent.

Developing Leaders from Engineers

The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) program of leadership development is a practical, tested method used in developing engineering managers in a large water utility. We believe our organization performs effectively because of our attention to training to produce effective engineering managers. The principles and practices we employ can be applied to any water utility or to other technical organizations if there is dedicated effort on the part of the organization, its manager, and individuals.

Drought and Public Relations for the Water Purveyor

Drought is a very real problem for many of the western states and water utilities must be ready to provide customers with information in case of a drought emergency. Steps should be taken to make the consumer aware of the cause of a water shortage and their help should be enlisted in practicing water conservation methods. Such education of consumers includes additional literature sent with water bills, radio and television spots and newspaper articles. The water conservation efforts of Denver, Salt Lake, and the East Bay Municipal Utility District are discussed.

Environmental Protection Guidelines for Construction Projects

The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EMBUD) has created a series of guidelines for protection of the environment during construction projects. Other Utilities may wish to adopt these or a modified version of these guidelines to minimize the environmental disruptions of construction plans.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS BY RESERVOIR AERATION

Faced with a need to improve water palatability in one of its standby storage reservoirs, East Bay Municipal Utility District, of Oakland, Calif., resorted to the use of an aeration system and realized some positive results.

READINESS FOR EARTHQUAKE—SEISMICITY STUDIES

In a known seismic area, preparation for an earthquake is a necessity. The East Bay Municipal Utility District, aware of the dangers, has taken steps to insure its ability to fight fires and maintain service in the event of such a catastrophe.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

California's East Bay Municipal Utility District has instituted a preventive maintenance program to realize its goal of safe, uninterrupted, efficient service at lower cost.

Water Utility Cost Trends

This joint discussion on water utility cost trends was presented at the 1967 AWWA Annual Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Topics and presenters included: Interest Rates, by Stanley L. Cohen of the Dade County Water and Sewer Board, North Miami Beach, Florida; Estimating Depreciation, by Ernest C. North of Whitman, Requardt & Associates, Baltimore, Maryland; and, Labor and Material, by Charles B. Adelmann of the East Bay Municipal Utility District, Oakland, California.

Aesthetics in the Design of Water Facilities

This joint discussion on aesthetics in the design of water facilities was presented at the 1967 AWWA California Section Meeting at Newport Beach, California. Topics and presenters include: An Introduction by Jerome B. Gilbert of the North Marin County Water District, Novato, California; A Utility's Program, by John S. Harnett of the East Bay Municipal Utility District, Oakland, California; A Reservoir Case History, by Warren A. McClure of the Belmont County Water District, Belmont, California; An Architect's Viewpoint, by S. Richard Komatsu of Hardison and Komatsu, Architects; and, A Consulting Engineer's Viewpoint, by R. Dewey Dickson of James M. Montgomery Consulting Engineers, Inc., Pasadena, California.

Improving a Utility's Image Through Communications

This joint discussion on improving a utility's image through communications was presented at the 1967 AWWA Annual Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Topics and presenters included: Basic Management Concepts, by Charles V. Elwell of the Rexall Drug and Chemical Company, Los Angeles, CA; Community Relations in Modern Society, by John W. McFarland of the East Bay Municipal Utility District, Oakland, CA; and, Customer Relations Techniques, by William R. Seeger of the Marin Municipal Water District, Corte Madera, CA.

New Method for Handling Filter Bed Materials

This article discusses how the East Bay Municipal Utility District in Oakland, California, handles the periodic changing of filter bed aggregates in its rapid sand filters.

Quality and Cost Evaluation of Treatment Processes for a Specific Water

This article discusses a study by the East Bay Municipal Utility District to determine whether any of several other methods of treatment would provide qualitative or economic advantages over the rapid sand filtration process that has been used with the same raw water for the past 28 years. Treatment methods considered for the new Walnut Creek treatment plant were: rapid sand filtration; anthracite, sand and anthracite, and diatomaceous‐earth filtration; microstrainers; and, high‐ and conventional‐rate sedimentation. The use of these methods was studied both as single‐stage processes and as one stage of two‐stage processes. The present‐worth method was selected for making the economic evaluation, as this seemed the most convenient method of accounting for the four types of costs that include constant costs, such as those for construction.

Safety Program of the East Bay Municipal Utility District

This article discusses the ideas and procedures involved in the safety program of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) in Oakland, CA. A philosophical discussion of the human meaning of safety is presented, followed by a discussion of effective hiring practices, responsibility for the program, work safety standards, program administration, injury investigation, field inspection, achievement awards, and safety education.

What Is Good Water Service and How Should It Be Paid For?: Panel Discussion

This article presents a panel discussion on the topic of defining and paying for good water service. Panel participants include: Abel Wolman, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Henry J. Graeser, Dallas Water Works, Dallas, TX; Edward R. Healy, Northern Illinois Water Corporation, Champaign, IL; John W. McFarland, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Oakland, CA; and, Ellsworth L. Filby, Black & Veatch, Kansas City, MO. The article follows individual discussions with an open discussion by panelists.

Policies on Water Service for Private Fire Systems: Joint Discussion

In this joint discussion, the article, “Conditions Precedent to Service,” by John L. McBride of East Bay Municipal Utility District in Oakland, California, provides a list of conditions that a utility should consider establishing before service begins, which limit its liabilities without discouraging the use of private fire services. The article, “Engineering Considerations,” by Gayle R. Holman of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, discusses engineering considerations for private fire service that include: hydraulic factors; economic factors; sanitary factors; and, construction factors. The article, “Legal Considerations,” by William G. Fleckles of the San Francisco law firm Bacigalupi, Elkus & Salinger, discusses the terms and conditions under which private fire protection service is being offered. Finally, the article, “Installation and Standby Charges,” by Richard A. Smith of Fallbrook Public Utility District in Fallbrook, California, discusses a realistic pricing policy for the installation and operation of private fire systems.

Bill Collection Procedures and Delinquent Accounts Joint Discussion

This joint discussion presents procedures for bill collection and delinquent accounts at Vallejo (California) Municipal Water System by Robert B. Hunter; at East Bay Municipal Utility District by Kenneth D. McCloskey; at the California Water Service Company by Ralph D. Lindberg; and, by Emanuel Becker who presents a discussion on taking legal action.

Problems of System Expansion by Annexation

The rapid growth of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) water service area is typical of the expansion of the service areas of other water utilities throughout California. The methods of planning for and controlling this growth pattern differ somewhat from those of other water service jurisdictions. This article briefly discusses EBMUD's handling of East Bay area expansion, including: establishment of an ultimate service area; requests for annexation to provide water service to large areas in which residential development has already occured; economic aspects of annexation of the proposed areas; county water district procedures; the improvement of district procedure advantages of the financing the area's share of the cost of improving a water system to meet EBMUD standards; determination of area's share and of EBMUD's share; annexation and purchase of the San Ramon Valley from the California Water Service Company; initial problems of annexation; the value of good public relations and open communication with the residents and electorate of the area; problem of customer's water pressure; critical construction areas, and, planning of system takeover.

Landscaping for Water Utility Structures: Joint Discussion

In this joint discussion, William T. Hartman of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) in Oakland, California, presents three primary considerations concerning the construction of a public water facility: engineering feasibility; cost; and, the attitude of the public. He goes on to discuss landscaping design as one of the most useful tools for gaining public acceptance of the construction of a new water facility. He presents EBMUD's policy of landscaping its facility as an example of how to gain public acceptance. Fred Tschopp of the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power suggests hiring a qualified landscape architect who possesses a visual imagination and an understanding of form, color, texture, balance, and repetition to provide landscaping around water facilities. He presents the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power's policy for landscaping as an example of achieving an aesthetic, pleasing appearance in residential areas.