On May 21, Lake Temescal in Oakland hosted the vibrant centennial celebration of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). The event, a tribute to EBMUD's 100 years of service and dedication to the community, showcased the organization's legacy.
For a special presentation, EBMUD and the UC Berkeley Center for Smart Infrastructure (CSI) researchers (Prof. Kenichi Soga, Dayu, Shih-Hung, Tianyu, Emily, Mirna, Jhi-Rou, and Wonjun) showcased innovations in infrastructure design, engineering, and maintenance . Demonstrations of cutting-edge technology, including drones, Boston Dynamics' Spot, and Augmented Reality (AR), attracted attendees and provided insight into ongoing infrastructure research. This celebration of the utility service's milestone and vision for the future of infrastructure delighted the audience, adding to the joy of the celebration.
Food trucks, live performances, a kid zone, and a beer and wine garden created an atmosphere of festivity, while the proceeds from the garden supported the Water Lifeline program, which helps customers experiencing financial distress to stay current with their water bills.
The EBMUD 100th Birthday Party and Community Fair was more than a birthday. It was a great celebration of the present, and an exciting revelation of the future, reinforcing the community's appreciation for the essential water services that EBMUD provides and the research and innovation that promise to enhance those services in the years to come.