Transitioning Water Supplies

When you turn on the tap, have you ever wondered where that water is actually coming from? Well, some of Oakland’s water used to come right here from Sausal Creek! Before Spanish colonization, the indigenous Ohlone set up villages near Sausal Creek, relying on its abundant water. When the Spanish, and later Anglo, colonizers arrived, they also used Sausal Creek as a water source.

Taking advantage of the Sausal’s ample reserves, Caspar Hopkins created the Sausal Water Company in 1869 to supply Fruitvale with water. The company built a dam near Park Blvd., which held water that was then pumped into the neighborhood. Eventually, Anthony Chabot’s Contra Costa Water Company bought the Sausal Water Company to create more dams to supply water to Oakland.

Eventually, these companies could not provide the growing population of Oakland with enough water, so the State of California adopted the MUD Act in 1923, forming the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). Now, EBMUD supplies most of the East Bay with fresh water from the Mokelumne River. For a more in-depth look at the history of East Bay water sources and EBMUD, check out our May 2023 newsletter, featuring the EBMUD General Director!