Alameda County Public Works Agency

What Alameda County Public Works Agency does

Alameda County Public Works Agency (ACPWA) is a government public works agency operating under Alameda County, California, headquartered at 399 Elmhurst Street in Hayward. The agency is responsible for the management and operations of public infrastructure — including streets, bridges, flood control facilities, pump stations, and stormwater conveyance — across the unincorporated areas of Alameda County, with flood control services provided county-wide. ACPWA delivers a portfolio of interconnected public services organized across four departments: Engineering, Construction and Development, Maintenance and Operations, and Administration/Management Services. Key programs include transportation infrastructure (pavement management, bike and pedestrian facilities, crossing guards, traffic calming, sidewalk repair, tree programs), flood control (channel maintenance, 24 pump stations with combined capacity up to 468,800 gallons per minute, watershed planning), and environmental services (Clean Water Program, street sweeping, Turner Court Green Infrastructure Demonstration Project).

The agency's technology stack centers on conventional infrastructure management tools rather than commercial products: StreetSaver pavement management software for monitoring, prioritizing, and recommending pavement treatments; GIS systems for spatial data; a Virtual Permit Center for online building permit applications; a Mobile Citizen App enabling photo-based issue reporting with 48-hour resolution SLAs; and a full-trash capture device network for stormwater permit compliance with the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. Fleet operations maintain 354+ vehicles including hybrid electric, electric, biodiesel, and natural gas vehicles. ACPWA holds APWA accreditation (originally awarded 2012, reaccredited August 2020 with two exceptional model practice recognitions) and operates six drawbridges over the Oakland-Alameda Estuary under contract with the US Army Corps of Engineers and oversight by the US Coast Guard.

ACPWA is not a commercial entity and does not sell products or services in a private-sector sense. The agency is funded through county tax revenue, special district assessments, government budgets, and fees for building permits (approximately 4,500 issued annually), with primary customers being residents, businesses, and property owners in unincorporated Alameda County. Distribution is multi-channel: online self-service (Virtual Permit Center, Mobile Citizen App, Report a Problem portal), in-person (One-Stop Permit Center at headquarters), and field-based maintenance and operations teams serving 473.6 centerline miles of roadway and 561 miles of flood control infrastructure across eight defined flood zones.

Name

Alameda County Public Works Agency

Legal name

Alameda County Public Works Agency

Website

https://acpwa.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Alameda County Public Works Agency is a government agency managing transportation infrastructure, flood control, and maintenance services for the unincorporated areas of Alameda County, California, including 473.6 miles of roadway, 561 miles of flood control channels, and 24 pump stations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Public Works Services

NAICS

Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (924110), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700), Water Supply (4941), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Works Departments (Streets, Bridges, Stormwater, Fleet, Maintenance) (BPAIALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

State/Provincial Transportation, Roads & Public Works Administration (BPAIABAK), Field Operations & Repair Services (Emergency Response, Leak Repair, Crew Dispatch) (EUANAKAL), Sewer & Stormwater Overflow (SSO/CSO) Emergency Response (EUAIAMAE), Water & Wastewater Compliance (NPDES/Stormwater, Pretreatment, Drinking Water/SDWA) (EUAHABAB)

Keywords

• Public works services
• Flood control infrastructure
• Transportation infrastructure
• Pavement management
• Building permits

Headquarters

HQ city

Hayward

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Alameda County Public Works Agency (ACPWA) is a government infrastructure agency that provides transportation infrastructure (bike/pedestrian facilities, pavement management, sidewalks, traffic calming, crossing guards), flood control services (channel maintenance, pump station operations, storm drain management, watershed planning), and infrastructure maintenance & operations for roads, bridges, and flood control facilities in unincorporated Alameda County. The agency also issues approximately 4,500 building permits annually and supports private development through permit review and inspection.

Product overview

Alameda County Public Works Agency (ACPWA) is a government infrastructure agency offering a portfolio of interconnected public works services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include Transportation Infrastructure (bike/pedestrian facilities, pavement management, sidewalks, traffic calming), Flood Control (channels, pump stations, storm drains), and Infrastructure Maintenance & Operations (road, bridge, and fleet maintenance). Supporting services include a Digital Services division offering the Virtual Permit Center, Mobile Citizen reporting app, and online Document Library. Additional programs cover community initiatives (Adopt-A-Spot, Crossing Guards, Tree Program), environmental services (Clean Water, Watershed Planning, Green Infrastructure), and the Capital Improvement Program for planning and constructing infrastructure projects. The agency primarily serves unincorporated areas of Alameda County with Flood Control services provided county-wide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Transportation Infrastructure Transportation infrastructure services including bike and pedestrian programs, crossing guard program, pavement management, sidewalk repair, traffic calming, and tree programs for unincorporated Alameda County.
• Flood Control Infrastructure Maintenance Flood control infrastructure maintenance including channel maintenance, pump station operations, storm drain management, and watershed planning across the county. ACPWA maintains approximately 561 miles of flood control infrastructure and operates 24 pump stations.
• Capital Improvement Program Planning, design, and construction of traffic, transportation, and flood control infrastructure improvements to enhance safety and mobility in unincorporated Alameda County.
• Infrastructure Maintenance & Operations Maintenance and operations of transportation and flood control infrastructure including roads, bridges, flood channels, pump stations, and related facilities throughout unincorporated Alameda County.
• Virtual Permit Center Online internet-based portal allowing customers to apply for building permits from anywhere at any time using computer devices. ACPWA issues approximately 4,500 building permits each year.
• One-Stop Permit Center In-person permit center allowing applicants to interact with building, grading, planning, and fire departments at a single location. All visits by appointment only.
• Mobile Citizen App Mobile application allowing community members to report issues such as potholes, graffiti, and illegal dumping by taking photos and submitting directly to the agency. Issues are typically resolved within 48 hours.
• Fleet Maintenance Maintenance and repair of over 354 agency vehicles and off-road heavy equipment, including alternative fuel vehicle management (hybrid, electric, biodiesel, natural gas) and 24/7 repair services for fleet vehicles above one ton.
• Estuary Bridges Maintenance & Operation Operation and maintenance of six drawbridges over the Oakland-Alameda Estuary, including Miller-Sweeny Bridge, Fruitvale Railroad Bridge, High Street Bridge, Park Street Bridge, Bay Farm Island Bridge, and Bay Farm Island Bicycle Bridge (the only drawbridge exclusively for bicycles and pedestrians in the United States).
• Pavement Management Program Uses StreetSaver software to identify pavement treatments including overlays, crack sealing, slurry seals, and chip seals to prolong pavement lifespan across 473.6 centerline miles of county roads.
• Clean Water Program Storm water management program responsible for inspecting industrial areas, assessing watersheds, monitoring construction sites, and conducting public outreach to meet stormwater permit requirements with the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board.
• Crossing Guard Program Provides adult crossing guards in school areas to ensure safe street crossing of school children, serving Castro Valley, Hayward, and San Lorenzo unified school districts.
• Traffic Calming Program Addresses excessive speeding on residential roadways through evaluation and implementation of appropriate traffic calming applications.
• Tree Program Preservation and maintenance of trees within county right-of-way, including assessment, removal permits, and tree planting guidance.
• Street Sweeping Program Routine street sweeping in unincorporated areas to improve health and safety, with annual leaf removal from November through January.
• Pump Station Maintenance & Operation Maintenance and operation of 24 flood control pump stations throughout the county that provide flood protection during rainy seasons, with combined pumping capacities up to 468,800 gallons per minute.
• Turner Court Green Infrastructure Demonstration Project 142,000-square-foot parking lot conversion featuring 14 green infrastructure features demonstrating stormwater reduction and pollutant capture methods. The site serves as a model and training ground for municipal agencies and private sector professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Issues reported via Mobile Citizen app are typically resolved within 48 hours
• +6 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (ACFCD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACPWA works closely with the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District on projects including watershed planning, drainage studies, flood control capital improvements, creek maintenance, and the Goat Grazing Program. The District owns and maintains flood control infrastructure including channels and pump stations. ACPWA's Turner Court facility and many programs are jointly administered with the District.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACPWA coordinates with FEMA through the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to map floodplains for cities and unincorporated areas of Alameda County, supporting flood risk assessments and regulatory compliance.
• San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACPWA's Clean Water Program ensures the County meets requirements of its stormwater permit with the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, including inspecting industrial areas, assessing and monitoring watersheds, monitoring construction sites, and conducting public outreach.
• United States Army Corps of EngineersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACPWA maintains and operates the Fruitvale Railroad Bridge (a vertical lift bridge) under contract with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps of Engineers completed the bridge in 1951 at a cost of $946,757.
• United States Coast GuardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACPWA's six drawbridge operations are regulated by the United States Coast Guard, which functions as the enforcement arm of the Federal Department of Homeland Security. Bridges are governed by Federal Law and must open on demand to accommodate marine traffic.
• Bay Area Transit Agencies (BART)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Alameda Creek Fish Ladder and BART Weir Fish Ladder project involves sediment removal at BART infrastructure. ACPWA coordinates with BART on projects affecting fish passage and infrastructure near BART rights-of-way.
• Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACPWA works with the Alameda County Transportation Commission on pavement management programs and various transportation infrastructure projects. The ACTC administers Measure BB and Vehicle Registration Fee funding for projects including street paving and sidewalk improvements.
• Alameda Countywide Clean Water ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACPWA participates in the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program, a collaborative effort to maintain clear and safe waterways throughout the Bay Area. The program provides resources for commercial and industrial businesses, construction best management practices, and design and development guidance.
• Alameda County Tree Advisory Board (TAB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Tree Advisory Board consists of Alameda County residents appointed by each member of the Board of Supervisors. TAB advises the Director of Public Works on matters related to trees, determining when trees should be assessed, potentially removed, or pruned, and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
• Unincorporated County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (UCBPAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Director of Public Works established UCBPAC to garner community feedback regarding the Agency's bicycle and pedestrian programs and projects in unincorporated areas of Alameda County. The committee holds regular meetings and provides input on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
• California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe San Leandro Creek Trail project is funded by the California Urban Greening Grant Program (Senate Bill 859; administered by CNRA) in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance neighborhood parks, provide public green space, mitigate urban heat, and develop non-motorized urban trails.
• East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEBMUD will perform waterline relocation at the intersection of Hampton Road and Western Boulevard in summer 2026 as part of the Hampton Road Full Trash Capture project. ACPWA coordinates utility relocations with EBMUD on various capital projects.
• California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACPWA coordinates on transportation projects involving state highways and infrastructure. Projects such as the Signalized Intersections Improvements involve state routes and coordination with Caltrans standards.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Orange County Public Works (OCPW): OC Public Works is one of the largest county public works agencies in California, operating flood control, road maintenance, permitting, and environmental programs with a similar comprehensive scope to ACPWA.
• Contra Costa County Public Works: Neighboring Bay Area county public works department providing transportation, flood control, and permitting services to unincorporated Contra Costa County — a directly comparable service profile and geography.
• San Mateo County Public Works: Bay Area county public works department delivering road maintenance, flood control, and permitting across unincorporated San Mateo County, with a closely matched scope of services and population size to ACPWA.
• San Francisco Public Works: City-level public works department operating in the same Bay Area region with a comparable mix of street maintenance, engineering, permit, and infrastructure services, although it serves an urban core rather than unincorporated county areas.
• Los Angeles County Public Works: LA County Public Works is the largest county public works department in California, providing directly comparable services in transportation infrastructure, flood control, building permits, and environmental compliance — the closest functional peer to ACPWA by mandate and scope.
• Santa Clara County Roads and Airports Department: Manages unincorporated county roads, bridges, and infrastructure assets in Santa Clara County with a comparable mix of maintenance, pavement management, and permit services, making it a strong direct peer to ACPWA.
• Sacramento County Public Works: Large California county public works department providing transportation, drainage, flood control, and building permit services to unincorporated Sacramento County with a comparable organizational structure to ACPWA.
• City of Oakland Public Works: City of Oakland's public works department oversees streets, sidewalks, storm drains, flood control, and permitting within Oakland — overlapping with ACPWA's drawbridge operations and overall functional mandate.
• Riverside County Public Works: Provides transportation, flood control, and permit services across unincorporated Riverside County, with substantial infrastructure footprint and a directly comparable service mandate to ACPWA.

Others

• Accela: Government technology vendor providing permitting, licensing, and asset management software used by public works and building departments; relevant as an ecosystem partner / potential replacement for ACPWA's Virtual Permit Center, not a direct functional peer.

Market position

Strengths6 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/AlamedaCounty
• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLtCRVnIRI3TWWdd1MVTmNykcRP-158vpG
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlamedaCounty

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alameda County Public Works Agency