Metropolitan celebrates 50-year anniversary of Water Quality Section | |
L to R: Metropolitan Director Karl Seckel; Metropolitan Director Anthony Fellow; State Water Resources Control Board Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel; Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr.; former Metropolitan Water Quality Manager and Director of Water Quality Dr. Michael J. McGuire; and Metropolitan Director Juan Garza. | |
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Five decades of extraordinary commitment to preserving the quality and safety of Southern California’s imported water deliveries were hailed last week at an event celebrating the formation of Metropolitan’s Water Quality Section and the hundreds of staff who, over the decades, have been focused on monitoring the district’s source and treated supplies.
Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the Oct. 24 event at Metropolitan’s La Verne-based Water Quality Laboratory, where the agency conducts water sample testing and applied research, drew over 100 attendees, including local and state officials, as well as current and retired water quality staff.
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Dr. Paul Rochelle, Metropolitan's Water Quality Section manager, speaking at the anniversary event | |
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“I am proud of the global reputation for excellence that our water quality section has built over this organization’s history,” said Metropolitan Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay. “That legacy is thanks to the visionary leadership of our board, and the expertise and dedication of our staff who have produced the research and innovation needed to respond to challenges that have arisen along the way.”
Metropolitan’s dedication to monitoring and assuring the quality of its supplies has been prevalent since the first deliveries of Colorado River water in 1941 were treated at the district’s first water softening plant – now known as the F.E. Weymouth Treatment Plant, also located in La Verne. Three decades later, in 1974, the district’s Water Quality and Research Branch was established, the same year the Safe Drinking Water Act was signed into law by President Gerald Ford.
Read the press release.
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Board of Directors unanimously reelects Chair Ortega for second term | |
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Adán Ortega, Jr. will remain at the helm of Metropolitan’s Board of Directors through 2026 after being unanimously reelected to a second two-year term earlier this month by the district’s board. Ortega pledged to continue his leadership on critical issues, particularly the urgency to address climate change in water planning decisions and investments.
“Climate adaptation isn’t only the responsibility of environmentalists or a social movement. It involves all of us – our engineers, financial experts, planners, communicators and every single board member,” Ortega said. “It is at the core of everything we are doing to ensure water reliability and affordability for Southern California.”
Ortega is the 20th chair and the first Latino chair in the district’s 94-year history. As head of Metropolitan’s board, he represents district policies and programs at the national, state and local levels.
Read the press release.
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Metropolitan, Sanitation Districts strengthen partnership to advance Pure Water Southern California | |
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Following the approval of a revised agreement by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts’ Board of Directors earlier this month and Metropolitan’s board last month, the two agencies are strengthening their partnership to advance Pure Water Southern California. This strategic update to their 2015 agreement clarifies each agency's responsibilities, enabling them to leverage their unique expertise to optimize the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the regional recycled water program.
Under the revised agreement, the Sanitation Districts will oversee the initial stage of the advanced purification process, which uses membrane bioreactors to break down organic matter before filtering out particles and impurities. The Sanitation Districts will also play a key role in operations and monitoring at the Grace F. Napolitano Pure Water Southern California Innovation Center in Carson. Metropolitan will be responsible for the advanced purification processes that follow the initial membrane bioreactor stage, including reverse osmosis and the ultraviolet light/advanced oxidation treatment process. Metropolitan also will oversee the distribution of the purified water to the region.
Read the press release.
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“As climate change increasingly stresses Southern California’s imported water supplies, Metropolitan recognizes the need to invest in new, local, climate-resilient water sources. Pure Water Southern California offers an excellent opportunity to serve the water needs of our communities for generations to come.”
Metropolitan Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay
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Metropolitan launches “Goodbye, Grass” Fall conservation campaign | | |
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Metropolitan has launched a new conservation advertising campaign that focuses on the most significant way for residents and businesses to save water – replacing their grass with California Friendly® and native plants.
The 12-week “Goodbye, Grass” campaign includes outdoor billboards and transit shelters throughout Metropolitan’s service area, along with radio, digital and social media placements through December 2024.
Watch the campaign highlight reel and visit bewaterwise.com/goodbye-grass/ for native plant resources, inspiration and rebates.
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Metropolitan honored with awards from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Environment Federation | |
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Metropolitan recently received two national awards for its continued commitment to conservation, local resource development and community engagement.
For the second consecutive year, Metropolitan received a WaterSense Award for Excellence from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the continued growth of the dual certification water-efficient landscaper program. Developed through a partnership with the California Landscape Contractors Association, the program allows landscape professionals to earn two nationally recognized EPA WaterSense professional certifications through one course and one written test – the CLCA Water Management Certification Program and the Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Program.
Earlier this month, Metropolitan was honored with the Water Resources Utility of the Future Today award at the Water Environment Federation's Technical Exhibition and Conference. Metropolitan board Directors Dennis Erdman and Brenda Dennstedt accepted the award, which recognizes public agencies committed to advancing resource efficiency and recovery, developing proactive relationships with stakeholders and establishing resilient, sustainable and livable communities.
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