{"id":479313,"date":"2026-09-29T11:50:23","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T11:50:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/479313\/"},"modified":"2026-09-29T11:50:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T11:50:23","slug":"ebmud-director-andy-katz-climate-change-brings-biggest-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/479313\/","title":{"rendered":"EBMUD Director Andy Katz: Climate change brings biggest challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"

There’s no paywall here because our reporting is free for all of Berkeley. Support from readers like you helps make it possible. Donate today to our fall campaign<\/a> and your gift will be fully matched by some of our most generous supporters.<\/p>\n

\"\"Andy Katz. Courtesy of the candidate<\/p>\n

Berkeleyside wants to help you get to know your 2026 candidates. That\u2019s why we\u2019re publishing questionnaires with local candidates running unopposed.<\/p>\n

A Q&A with Andy Katz, who\u2019s running for reelection to the Ward 4 seat representing Berkeley on the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Board of Directors, follows. Katz, a worker\u2019s rights and environmental attorney, has held office since 2007. We asked him about the biggest changes in his 20 years on the board, and to spell out his top priorities if reelected.<\/p>\n

Click the questions below to see Katz\u2019s answers. Some have been lightly edited for clarity and length.<\/p>\n

You were first elected to the EBMUD board 20 years ago. What keeps you interested?<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve led our public water provider to invest in robust pipeline replacement and water efficiency, adopt a proactive wildfire prevention strategy, and enhance our education program. I\u2019m running to follow through on these and other critical challenges facing our community.<\/p>\n

Give a letter grade to the performance of the current EBMUD board (A-F). Explain.<\/p>\n

A. The Board has managed a $1 billion annual budget to provide clean and reliable water to serve 1.5 million East Bay customers. We reduced the monthly service charge by 25%, and re-aligned construction charges so building an ADU doesn\u2019t require new major charges for important housing solutions.<\/p>\n

What are the biggest changes in providing water and handling wastewater you\u2019ve seen in your time on the board?<\/p>\n

Meeting challenges posed by climate change: rehabilitating water treatment to protect against water quality concerns experienced in the last drought, protecting San Francisco Bay from pollution, as climate disruption stresses nutrient loads, and watershed management to improve wildfire prevention.<\/p>\n

Each EBMUD district is a little different. What\u2019s special about District 4, and how does that affect the agency\u2019s service and\/or customers?<\/p>\n

With the lowest water use per capita, I\u2019ve worked to deliver a 25% reduction in the monthly service charge in our rates. As an older part of the service area, I\u2019ve championed Pipeline Rebuild and worked to strengthen streets project coordination for cost savings for both EBMUD and the city.<\/p>\n

How should climate change affect EBMUD\u2019s water supply planning?<\/p>\n

EBMUD has long taken climate change into account, anticipating earlier snowmelt and increased frequency and severity of droughts. We\u2019ve secured supplemental supplies through dry-year water rights transfer from northern California, recycled water, and San Joaquin Valley groundwater storage projects.<\/p>\n

What would be your top three priorities in office for your next term?<\/p>\n

(1) Focus investments on maintenance of the existing water infrastructure.
(2) Enhance water efficiency rebates.
(3) Implement a proactive wildfire prevention strategy.
(4) Find new sustainable financing for the Customer Assistance Program for low-income affordability.
(5) Ensure access to outdoor education experiences for all K-12 students, leveraging EBMUD\u2019s investments funding transportation for fifth grade ranger-led field trips to the watershed to partner with the education community and other providers.<\/p>\n

The deadline to preregister to vote online or by mail in Alameda County is Oct. 19 (though you can register the day you vote if you miss that deadline). The election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. We put together a guide to the essentials of how to register and vote, what\u2019s on the ballot and more.<\/p>\n

Here are some other helpful election resources:<\/p>\n

See complete 2026 election coverage<\/a> on Berkeleyside.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Thank you for reading!<\/p>\n

When you read our reporting and stay up to date with what\u2019s happening in Berkeley, you make our community stronger. Every day, we are glad that people like you are reading our work.<\/p>\n

Some outlets put up a paywall but not us. Our reporting will always be free for everyone in our community.<\/p>\n

Our journalism is funded by a special community of members who choose to donate to Berkeleyside and help make our reporting free for everyone. If you\u2019re one of those members, thank you so much. <\/p>\n

And if you haven\u2019t chipped in yet, please consider supporting free journalism in your community today with a donation to our fall campaign.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Zac Farber
Editor-in-Chief, Berkeleyside<\/p>\n

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