In 1999, KFPD embarked on a five-phase Water System Improvement project to improve the community's ability to withstand an assault by fire.

The Water System Improvements Master Plan was adopted by the KFPD Board of Directors in December 1999. The Master Plan is based on fire flow criteria provided by fire fighting staff, the 1998 California Fire Code for hydrant spacing, community standards for vegetation management, community concerns regarding historical brush fires, and on the staff's greatest area of concern for a potential major conflagration - the wildland interface between Kensington and East Bay Regional Park District land. In 2007 the Board commissioned a Supplemental Fire Flow Study for Phase V (the northern interface area) to identify a project that would be agreeable to the neighbors.

As of Summer 2008, 4,680 feet of pipeline improvements has been installed. Phase I (Beloit Avenue, Los Altos Drive, and Kenyon Avenue area), Phase II (Lake Drive), Phase III (Beloit Avenue), Phase IV (Purdue Avenue) and Phase V (Lawson Road, the UUCB property and Craft Avenue) are all complete along with the replacement of a pressure regulator valve. Thirty-two hydrants have been installed throughout the Kensington community. All improvements have been constructed by East Bay Municipal Utilty District crews or its contractors.

Fire flow tests from pipeline improvements are dramatic! Water flow has improved greatly at the wildland interface. There is now ample water (1,500 gallons per minute per hydrant) to service three engines at the East Bay Regional Park District interface. Prior to the water system improvements, there was barely sufficient water to service even one engine.

Improvements to date have been financed by current tax revenues. KFPD has not incurred any bond indebtedness or required additional assessments from the community. Cost estimates for the improvements were provided in the Kensington Fire Flow Study by EBMUD dated December 1998. The total cost of construction as of August 2008 is $1,680,103.

KFPD recognizes that flexibility is essential in implementing the Water System Improvements Master Plan. Copies of the Master Plan are available for viewing at the Public Safety Building and the Kensington Library.