Innovation: Ideas for an
Even Better
Metropolitan
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Innovation.
Google it's definition and you will find over 1.5 billion results.
Clearly, it means different things to different people. Some think of it as creating or incorporating new technology.
But at Metropolitan, it is much more than that. “Innovation means continuous improvement. It’s about implementing new ideas and processes to tackle challenges and create an even better organization. It’s what our employees do every day without even realizing it,” explains
Deven Upadhyay
, Assistant General Manager and Chief Operating Officer.
“I hear so many stories of Met employees that exemplify innovation. Yet, we don’t often use the term “innovation” to describe our work. We just say it’s our job.”
So Metropolitan is starting an effort to recognize and grow our culture of innovation. It includes a communications campaign that helps showcase innovation through employee success stories.
A component of this campaign is an
Innovation Hour
, a new webinar series, which launches on Monday, July 27 at 11:30 a.m.
Register here
During this first event,
Deven
will discuss innovation at Metropolitan, share past survey results and present next steps. See
flyer
and
memo
.
Last year, Metropolitan completed an in-depth review of our innovation program, which included employee surveys, focus groups and interviews. According to this review, 88% of our workforce believes innovation is critical to the future of Metropolitan
“New ideas and approaches are critical to Metropolitan’s future. I look forward to connecting with employees to discuss our innovation efforts,” expressed
Deven
.
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Progress Continues on Pipeline, Reservoirs
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Work is steadily moving forward on Metropolitan’s Distribution System Reliability Program, which maintains reliable deliveries through specific repair and rehabilitation projects on the district’s pipelines, reservoirs, and control structures. Recent activities include the following:
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Wadsworth Pumping Plant Control and Electrical Protection Upgrade
– Replaces obsolete turbine/ pumping unit controls and electrical protection systems, and installs an uninterruptible power supply. Overall, the project is 98% complete.
•
Yorba Linda Hydroelectric Power Plant Completion Project
– Fabricates and installs a rain protection enclosure for the plant generator. Installation of the interior electrical lighting and exhaust fans by Metropolitan staff is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2020.
•
Orange County Region Service Center
– Constructs a 12,000 sf service center for the Orange County operating region. Project is nearly complete.
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Greg Avenue Pump Station Rehabilitation
– Improves the reliability of the pump station by replacing the existing pumps and upgrading the electrical and control systems. Construction is 50% complete.
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Casa Loma Siphon Upgrades
– Replaces Siphon Barrel No. 1 at a fault crossing using earthquake-resistant ductile iron pipe. Pipe fabrication is underway and final design of the construction package is nearly complete.
•
Service Connection A-06 Meter Replacement
– Rehabilitates a service connection on the East Orange County Feeder No. 2. Construction is 90% complete.
•
Lake Perris Bypass Pipeline Relining
– Will reline approx. 1,500 feet of the Lake Perris Bypass Pipeline. Final design is complete and the Board has awarded a construction contract.
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Leading a Team of Lab Support Essential Workers
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When Laboratory Support Team Supervisor and essential worker
Kat Hanley
shows up at La Verne at 5 a.m., her crew of water sampling field technicians is ready to go. Inside, the team's four laboratory assistants have prepped the bottles for field collection, and another day is underway.
"I have a super-dedicated team," says
Kat
, who spent 20 years as a source water microbiologist before taking over the management reins in 2018. "They epitomize what an essential worker is all about." In the era of COVID-19, when water safety and reliability is more important than ever, this team continues its hard work.
Steve Barnes
, one of the six water sampling technicians, may rack up more than 100 miles driving to the dozen sites strategically located along the district's miles of treated water pipeline. Another technician,
Francisco Iniguez
, reveals he flushes the line for up to 20 minutes to get a fresh sample, then places the samples in a cooler that must be maintain-`
ed at 4°C, and it is off to another sampling site. All six technicians return to La Verne by mid-afternoon.
Next, the laboratory assistants upload the samples into LIMS - the Laboratory Information Management System. Sample testing looks at chlorine residual, pH balance, bacterial contaminants and other chemicals to ensure the water is safe and meets all regulatory standards. This data can be tracked from delivery through testing and final results. Testing is reported monthly to the State, and results are reported daily internally and used by several teams to monitor the system.
Outside of work,
Kat
, her husband and their three teenagers enjoy many outdoor activities including camping, hiking, kayaking and off-roading. An Orange County native,
Kat
earned her bachelor's degree from CSU Fullerton and master's degree from Ashford University.
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