West of Hills Northern Pipelines Project

East Bay Municipal Utility District is currently planning to build about 8.5 miles of new 48-inch and 36-inch water transmission pipelines, which move large amounts of water around EBMUD's service area. These transmission pipelines are different from smaller distribution pipes which directly serve your neighborhood.

The project's four major segments are needed to ensure continued reliable water service to customers in north Oakland, Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole, Hercules, and the unincorporated communities of West Contra Costa County, including Crockett. Design and construction of each of the four large pipelines will occur separately over the course of a decade with construction of the first project beginning 2015.

The purpose of the project is to:

• correct existing deficiencies
• improve operations
• enhance system reliability and water quality challenges
• meet projected water demands through 2040
• facilitate repair and replacement of aging infrastructure

EBMUD is preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to assess the impacts of the project and identify mitigation measures. The Notice of Preparation (NOP) and Draft Initial Study are available below. Comments to the NOP may be submitted through March 29, 2012 to the address listed in the notice. Each pipeline segment is noted below; click to see a map and alignment for each preferred pipeline route.

• Berkeley - Wildcat Pipeline
• El Cerrito - Wildcat Pipeline
• El Cerrito/Richmond - Central Pressure Zone Pipeline
• Richmond/San Pablo - Central Pressure Zone Pipeline