Shivaji Deshmukh takes the helm as Metropolitan's general manager

Shivaji Deshmukh at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sepulveda Feeder Pump Stations Project on Jan. 21.

Following a two-month transition, Shivaji Deshmukh officially took over as Metropolitan's general manager on Jan. 1.

Deshmukh joined Metropolitan in November as general manager-designate, allowing a smooth handover from retiring General Manager Deven Upadhyay. During that time, Deshmukh traveled across the district, meeting with employees and learning more about day-to-day operations.

Deshmukh came to Metropolitan from the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, where he was general manager for six years. Before that, he served as assistant general manager at West Basin Municipal Water District and as program manager at Orange County Water District. 

Metropolitan breaks ground on Sepulveda Feeder Pump Stations Project to help communities hit hard in state droughts

Above, attendees survey construction during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sepulveda Feeder Pump Stations Project on Jan. 21. Below, from left, Vice Chair Nancy Sutley, Directors Jacque McMillan, Dennis Erdman and Jay Lewitt, and General Manager Deshmukh.

Construction has begun on a $280 million project to bring additional sources of water to Southern California communities hit particularly hard by the state’s last drought.

The Sepulveda Feeder Pump Stations Project will allow Metropolitan to reverse flows in its system if needed during severe California droughts, pushing water from the Colorado River and Diamond Valley Lake into communities that currently have limited access to these resources.

The project will help communities in Ventura and Los Angeles counties that normally rely almost exclusively on water from the northern Sierra, delivered through the State Water Project, and had deliveries curtailed during California's 2020-22 drought. 

Metropolitan is also in the process of building four projects that will allow water from Diamond Valley Lake and the Colorado River to be delivered to communities in the Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley that are also currently dependent on the State Water Project.

Read the press release.

“This project strengthens our ability to move water where it's needed during droughts, during emergencies, and when major infrastructure must be taken out of service for maintenance and rehabilitation.”

General Manager Shivaji Deshmukh

Pure Water Southern California granted judicial streamlining, Final EIR heads to Metropolitan's Board of Directors in February

Students from Cal Poly Pomona tour the Pure Water Southern California demonstration plant in October.

To support the advancement of projects that can make California more resilient to climate change, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the State Legislature finalized this month measures to quickly resolve any legal challenges to the Pure Water Southern California environmental review.

State leaders certified Pure Water under the SB 149 Infrastructure Streamlining Program, which will provide expedited judicial review if the project's Final Environmental Impact Report faces legal challenges. The 2023 law is designed to help critical infrastructure projects move forward without lengthy court delays, while maintaining the California Environmental Quality Act’s environmental standards. 

Metropolitan and Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts are jointly planning the Carson-based project, which would purify and reuse cleaned wastewater currently discharged to the ocean. At full capacity, the program could produce up to 150 million gallons of purified water daily. That's enough to meet the needs of 1.5 million people, benefiting the entire region.

After gathering feedback on the project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report last summer, Metropolitan released the Final EIR this month. Metropolitan's Board of Directors will consider certifying the Final EIR at its Feb. 10 meeting.

Read the press release.

Metropolitan continues to advocate for consensus agreement on the Colorado River

Bewaterwise.com refreshed to help Southern Californians save water

Metropolitan this month unveiled the redesigned bewaterwise.com website with a fresh look and user-centered approach.

Bewaterwise.com is Metropolitan's portal to water-saving tips and rebates for residential and commercial customers. The new site, designed in-house by Metropolitan staff, makes significant improvements to site navigation, brand communication and accessibility.

Also this month, Metropolitan announced that its popular residential Turf Replacement Rebate will change on March 1, dropping to $2 per square foot of grass removed from $3 per square foot. Homeowners can still take advantage of the $3 incentive if they reserve their rebate by Feb. 28.

And because of overwhelming demand, funds for Metropolitan's enhanced Turf Replacement Rebate for commercial and institutional customers are fully reserved. Rebates for those customers, including homeowners associations, have dropped from $7 per square foot of grass removed to $4 per square foot.

For more information, visit bewaterwise.com

New Eastern Municipal Water District director joins Metropolitan board