LADWP in the Community

Greeting neighbors! June marks the beginning of summer and it is also National Safety Awareness Month. As you take time with your families to enjoy the great outdoors or to just stay home, LADWP is with you to help you stay safe and comfortable. Stay hydrated and drink tap water--the safest and most reliable there is. Warm outside? Cool off indoors while using your energy-efficient appliances. LADWP has many ways to help you save energy, water and money on your bill especially during this time of the year. Read on to find out how. And we wish you a fun and safe summer!

As temps rise, so does the need to run high energy consuming appliances like air conditioners. To avoid running up your summer bill, make these simple changes and save energy while staying safe! Adjust your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher. Be smart about lighting. Turn off unnecessary lights. Adjust your water heater down to 120 degrees. Use your major appliances late in the evening or early in the morning. Turn off your pool pumps during daytime hours.

How to Prepare In Case of a Power Outage LADWP's power reliability is very good, but power outages can and do occur. The likelihood of you experiencing a power outage is low, but if you do have an outage, on average we restore power in 2.5 hours. However, high summer temperatures and “heat storms” like those we had in recent years lead to extremely high demand for electricity, all at once. This can strain the power grid and may cause outages. To be prepared, here are some things you can do in advance to be ready in case of a power outage: Store flashlights and batteries in easy-to-reach places around the home. Make a mental note to know where they all are. Keep a battery-operated radio nearby for updates on power outages. Ventilate your home in the evening by opening doors and windows to clear out heat and circulate air. Always have a phone charger in the car. Having a fully charged phone to speak with friends and family during an outage can be both comforting and informative. Keep non-perishable food handy. If food in the refrigerator spoils, you want to be sure and have plenty of alternatives. Keep a cooler nearby to transfer food, using whatever ice you have before the outage. If you are medically dependent on critical equipment, consider purchasing a backup generator.

Upgrade or Replace your Air Conditioning for Some Cool Savings Energy efficiency is key to saving on your electric bill. This summer, we know you'll want to run that A/C for you and your family. To save energy and money, it's best to have an energy efficient unit at home. DYK? Customers can receive $50 when purchasing a new, energy-efficient window-type A/C model at the  Efficient Product Marketplace . That’s not all! You can also receive an additional $25 prepaid rebate gift card for recycling your old and inefficient window A/c, for a total combined rebate of $75. For more information visit: www.ladwp.com/windowac . If you need to replace your old central A/C unit, you can qualify for a cool rebate through our Consumer Rebate Program . To check and maintain your existing central A/C to ensure its efficiency, we also have a free tune up service through the A/C Optimization Program .

Mayor Appoints Susana Reyes to LADWP Board Susana Reyes was confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council on June 5, 2019 as a new member of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners. Appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti, she replaced outgoing Commissioner Aura Vasquez. Commissioner Reyes’ first board meeting was on June 18, 2019. Read more about Commissioner Reyes here .

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT

Construction Begins on Power Upgrade Project Along Sunset Blvd. in Greater Bel Air Area On June 25 th , we began Phase 1 of a construction project to improve underground power lines for the Bel Air, Beverly Crest, Westwood, and Holmby Hills communities. These areas have experienced significant power reliability issues due to increasing demand. The circuits servicing these communities are operating at 120% of capacity and our goal is to alleviate this with the installation of additional circuits. The project will take about a year and we will do everything possible to minimize the traffic impact. Phase 1 will take place along Sunset Blvd. between the 405 Freeway and Bellagio Road. At the same time crews will be working along S unset Blvd. between South Beverly Glen Blvd. and Carolwood Drive. For more details click here .

Improving Access to Drinking Water with 200 Hydration Stations Throughout the City

We love our tap water, and we want to share it with everyone who lives in and visits L.A. Tap water is the safest, most reliable and most affordable water you can access in L.A. You can already enjoy it at home and in your local parks. As part of the Green New Deal, and in advance of the 2028 Olympics, we will install or refurbish 200 drinking water stations citywide so more people can access this great resource. Read about our latest announcement .

How Safe is Your Tap Water? Very safe! And the LADWP Drinking Water Quality Report will give you all the important details. Check it out. Available July 1, 2019 at www.ladwp.com/waterquality

Kids Energy Science & Electrical Safety

Looking for some fun yet educational activities for your kids this summer? Kids can learn about energy science and electrical safety on LADWP’s e-SMARTkids website. You’ll find plenty of fun S.T.E.M-related games and activities such as “The Mysteries of Electricity,” “How to Stay Safe Around Electricity” and “Careers in Energy.” Check it out today!

Partnering with Neighborhood Councils

LADWP is the only department in the City of Los Angeles with a formal Memorandum of Understanding with Neighborhood Councils committing to regular and ongoing communication about department programs and policies. The DWP-NC MOU and Advocacy Committees meet every first Saturday of the month at 8:45 a.m. at the LADWP Headquarters, 111 N. Hope St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Join us!