Utility functions in Berkeley
We are moving. One of the pre-move tasks is to cancel our utility services: broadband cable, water, gas and electricity. In the course of doing so, I remembered a post at Pruned about the utility landscape of Chicago. Pruned editor Alexander Trevi challenged me to write a similar entry about Berkeley. Here goes.
The gross stuff first. My wastewater (sewage too?) gets treated in Oakland. The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) treats the wastewater of its East Bay customers at its Oakland plant which is located near the Bay Bridge.
My drinking water (this water is also used for non-drinking purposes) is supplied by EBMUD. The utility's "water supply system begins at the Mokelumne River watershed and extends 90 miles to the East Bay." I drink the water straight from the tap. Fire stations, downtown, and the University of California receive water from a local reservoir, the Berryman Reservoir on Euclid Avenue. The university's first drinking water supply was acquired by damming Strawberry Creek in the late 1800s.
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) supplies my electricity and Comcast my broadband cable. I could not find a location list for PG&E or Comcast substations, but I think there is a PG&E substation in my neighborhood, on Telegraph between Blake and Dwight. The substation is housed in a charming brick building. The PG&E substation on Hearst is also in an architecturally pleasing building whereas AT&T attempted to create an interesting contribution to the streetscape with a decorated facade in front of a plain building.
Berkeley's old landfill is now a popular park on the waterfront, Cesar Chavez Park. I'm embarrassed to write that I don't know where my trash ends up. I do know that the city contracts with the Ecology Center for curbside recycling Services. More research to be done and maybe I can write a similar entry for the next place I call home.