EBMUD is committed to providing reliable, available pressure and water flow for all customers. Water pressure typically ranges from 30 to 130 pounds per square inch depending upon the elevation of a customer's service connection in a particular pressure zone. Most of EBMUD's more than 130 pressure zones include one or more treated water storage tanks. Water flow is primarily determined by the size of a customer's service connection and the water pressure at that connection.
Please read carefully before you proceed with a flow and pressure request to prevent delays in receiving your results.
General Pressure Information Requests
You may request pressure information for general inquiries, irrigation services, insurance assessments, or to report a water pressure problem by using the Water Pressure Information Request online form or by calling 1-866-403-2683. You may also request this information for the installation of fire sprinkler systems to be served through a dual service (i.e., a combination domestic and fire service, where a dedicated private fire service is not required). These requests are considered non-emergencies and will be responded to in 15 business days.
For dedicated fire services or existing public hydrants, please proceed to the next section.
Flow and Pressure Information for Dedicated Private Fire Services or Existing Public Hydrants
You may request water pressure and flow information for the installation of dedicated fire services for fire sprinkler systems or existing public hydrants by using the online Fire Service Flow and Pressure Request. The fee is $369 for the flow and pressure request using hydraulic modeling analysis. EBMUD will conduct a hydraulic modeling analysis at the connection point(s) to determine the available flow and pressure at your project site for private fire service needs (e.g., for design or redesign of a new or existing dedicated private fire service), and will provide available flow and pressure for existing public hydrants.
NOTE: This is not a fire service application. You must also complete the online Water Service Application to apply for the fire service after you obtain the flow and pressure data at wsa.ebmud.com.
View more information about applying for a private fire service or contact EBMUD's New Business Office at 510-287-1008 or email nbo@ebmud.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pressure zone?
A pressure zone is a geographic area that serves customers within a water distribution system that is bounded by a lower and upper elevation (typically within a 200-foot elevation band). Pressure zones typically have one or more water storage tanks filled by pumping plants from lower pressure zones.
Does the pressure information provided by EBMUD include pressure losses through the fire service lateral and detector check?
The flow and pressure information provided is at the street main connection and does not account for pressure losses between the water main and the detector check.
Why is my field pressure reading different that from the pressure provided by EBMUD?
Since 2003, the flow and information provided through EBMUD’s Fire Service Request process is based on an all-pipeline hydraulic model of EBMUD’s water distribution system that accounts for projected maximum day demands and typical low reservoir operating levels. Field measurements (i.e., hydrant flow tests) are only a snapshot picture of the field conditions and EBMUD's water distribution system at the time the test was conducted. Various factors, such as area wide customer demand, time of day, weather, water distribution system configuration and system operations will influence the results of field measurements. It is recommended that a design allowance be made for possible reductions in pressure and/or flow that could occur under other possible scenarios.