Commercial Plumber in Berkeley, CA

A Property Manager’s Guide to Plumbing in Berkeley

Water from EBMUD, sewers from the City

Berkeley’s water comes from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), which also treats the city’s wastewater at its plant in Oakland. The sewer pipes under Berkeley’s streets belong to the City, and City sewer fees are added to the EBMUD water bill. That splits emergency calls in two. Save both numbers with your building’s emergency contacts:

• Water main breaks, hit hydrants and heavy leaks: EBMUD Emergency Dispatch, 1-866-403-2683, 24/7.
• Sewer backups and overflows: City of Berkeley Public Works, (510) 981-6620.

A sewage spill on private property is the owner’s responsibility, and the City advises calling a plumber right away.

Sewer laterals: Berkeley’s own certificate program

The City maintains the lower lateral, from the cleanout at or near the curb to the main in the street. The owner maintains, repairs and replaces the upper lateral, from the building to that cleanout. Where a building connects to a rear-yard main, the whole lateral, including the connection to the main, is private.

Unlike Oakland and several other East Bay cities, Berkeley is not under EBMUD’s regional lateral program; it runs its own program under Berkeley Municipal Code chapter 17.24, which must be no less strict. Commercial, industrial and residential owners, including condominiums and HOAs with shared laterals, need a Sewer Lateral Certificate from the City:

• by close of escrow on a sale or transfer (with some exceptions);
• before a building permit for construction or a remodel valued over $60,000;
• when the City finds the lateral may be a public nuisance, for example through smoke testing;
• when the owner chooses to repair or replace it.

A lateral less than 20 years old, or one with a permit for full replacement in the last 20 years, qualifies on paperwork. Otherwise a licensed contractor pulls a PSL permit and runs a verification test witnessed by a City inspector, after any repairs. The certificate lasts 20 years after full replacement and 7 years after point repairs or a clean test. Work in the public right-of-way needs a separate Engineering permit. If a sale has to close first, the City may grant a 6-month extension with a $4,500 deposit or a signed plumbing contract. A camera inspection before listing or remodeling shows what the test is likely to find. See commercial sewer repair.

Restaurants and grease

The City requires every restaurant and food facility to be evaluated to make sure fats, oils and grease are removed before wastewater reaches the sewer, usually with a grease interceptor or another City-approved device; large amounts of grease should go to a licensed recycler. The Environmental Health Division permits and inspects food facilities, and plans for new or remodeled kitchens go through the Permit Service Center to Environmental Health. Its construction guide also says not to buy a water heater until the Division has set the minimum size. EBMUD offers free grease trap and interceptor maintenance guides and a sample maintenance log. Between pumpings, scheduled hydro jetting keeps kitchen lines open.

Backflow testing for EBMUD

EBMUD’s cross-connection specialists decide whether a site needs a backflow assembly, for example where the water system connects to a boiler, cooling tower, or booster or recirculating pump, or where there is a well. When the annual test is due, EBMUD sends the list of authorized testers; the completed test form must be mailed back within 30 days of the notice. New fire services must have their underground piping flushed before activation, witnessed by EBMUD’s Backflow Section on at least 48 hours’ notice. Questions go to 510-287-0874. We install and repair the assemblies these rules require; see backflow preventers.

Permits for plumbing work

In Berkeley, all construction work and most repairs need a permit unless specifically exempt, including alterations to plumbing. The City lists water heater replacement as needing a plumbing permit. Commercial tenant improvements may need plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits depending on the work. Apply through Permits Online or by appointment at the Permit Service Center ((510) 981-7500, permits@berkeleyca.gov). For projects over $60,000, have the Sewer Lateral Certificate ready when you apply.

Water heaters: soft water and electrification

EBMUD’s main supply is Mokelumne River water stored in Pardee Reservoir. Berkeley is in the area served by the Orinda treatment plant, which measured 14–40 ppm (1–2 grains per gallon) hardness in the 2025 water quality report; EBMUD notes that areas can be served from a different plant during high demand or maintenance. Scale is usually a smaller concern than in hard-water cities.

Berkeley businesses are enrolled with Ava Community Energy for electricity, and the City encourages electric water heating as part of its fossil-fuel-free goal. Ava’s commercial efficiency program, which offered heat pump water heater incentives, is closed to new enrollments; Ava directs businesses to PG&E rebates, BayREN Business and GoGreen Financing. See commercial water heaters.

Sources

City of Berkeley: Sewers · Private Sewer Lateral program · PSL Compliance Guide · BMC ch. 17.24 · Food safety and inspection · Environmental rules for food businesses · Construction guide for food facilities · Building permits · Zoning permits (permit examples). EBMUD: Contact and emergencies · Wastewater collection and treatment · Backflow prevention · Fats, oils and grease · 2025 water quality report. Ava Community Energy: Commercial buildings. Checked October 2026.