Metropolitan Monthly News

Sept. 22, 2022

With a Water-Saving Assist From Consumers, Metropolitan Completes Emergency Repair Work of Critical Pipeline Ahead of Schedule

About 4 million people were called upon to stop outdoor watering for up to 15 days starting Sept. 6, while Metropolitan shut down its 36-mile Upper Feeder pipeline, a primary conduit of Colorado River water into Southern California, to repair a leak. Crews working around the clock were able to make the repairs and fully transition the pipeline back into service last Monday, Sept. 19, nearly two days ahead of schedule. In response to the conservation call, Metropolitan estimates residents and businesses in the affected areas reduced water demands by about 30 percent during the shutdown.

“We know it wasn’t easy to heed our no-outdoor-watering call, particularly during the extreme heatwave the region experienced early in the shutdown, but Southern Californians stepped up their water-saving efforts again, as they have in the past, to help us through this critical shutdown,” Chairwoman Gloria Gray said.

Read the press release.

Have Your Voice Heard at Public Hearings for the Delta Conveyance Project's Draft Environmental Impact Report

The California Department of Water Resources is holding two more virtual public hearings to receive comments on the Draft Environment Impact Report for the Delta Conveyance Project, which is aimed at modernizing water conveyance in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This is an important step in evaluating a key strategy of the various planned paths for the one-tunnel project and the potential impacts on water supply, environmental and ecological health, and surrounding communities. The July 27 release of the draft EIR initiated a 90-day public review period. Last week's first virtual hearing will be followed by two more — this Thursday, Sept. 22 at noon and Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m.

Metropolitan Board Convenes First-Ever Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Forum

Above, from left: Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Executive Assistant to the General Manager on Workforce Diversity Ty Washington, Former Chief Diversity Officer at Coca-Cola and President of Bucherati Group Steve Bucherati, Metropolitan Chairwoman Gloria Gray, Metropolitan Chief DE&I Officer Liji Thomas, Metropolitan General Manager Adel Hagekhalil, HDR Inc. Global Equity Director Victoria Johnson, and Principal of JCL Consulting Group JC Lacey.

Metropolitan’s Board of Directors, executive managers, employees and the public participated in the district’s inaugural forum on diversity, equity and inclusion on Aug. 23. The “Play to Win, Advancing Inclusive Excellence” event explored best-in-class practices to advance inclusive leadership and strategies to support a diverse workforce. The forum featured speakers from external companies and organizations who shared their perspectives and experiences about diversity's critical role and how those values translate into success.

In October 2021, as part of its ongoing dedication to improving its workplace culture for all employees, Metropolitan’s Board of Directors adopted a Statement of Commitment pledging its support of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

The board recently established a first-ever board committee exclusively focused on diversity, equity and inclusion issues that will address matters related to underserved communities that have traditionally faced barriers associated with access to safe, clean and reliable water supplies and resources to support investments and job development in the water industry.

Read the press release.

Stay Connected: Pure Water Southern California's Progress

Metropolitan continues to make progress on Pure Water Southern California, preparing to begin the environmental review process, exploring opportunities to accelerate development, and much more. Get the latest news about the program by signing up for our Pure Water Southern California e-blasts. Read our first edition.

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