Battery fire: Metropolitan thanks community, first responders, employees for support. Next steps include investigation into cause

Metropolitan, its contractors, and other appropriate parties will be conducting investigations as to the cause and origin of the battery energy storage system fire at the district's La Verne facility last month. Parties have begun coordinating the investigative process.

The fire began Sept. 22 in a battery energy storage system that had been in operation on the site since June. After quickly containing the initial fire, fire personnel worked for several days to minimize the potential risk posed by an adjacent battery energy storage system damaged during the fire. Early on Sept. 25, fire personnel and technical experts were able to safely remove the lithium-ion battery cells from the systems, which mitigated hazards to the community and allowed all evacuations to be lifted. After extensive coordination and careful planning, the compromised batteries involved have been safely packaged and removed from the site in accordance with applicable requirements.

Metropolitan is grateful for the dedication of our first responders, partner agencies and employees who worked around the clock to protect our community. Metropolitan also appreciates the patience of the La Verne community during this difficult situation.

Metropolitan had these battery energy storage systems installed near a solar panel field at the facility to store off-peak electricity and green energy, for use later during times of peak demand – reducing Metropolitan’s strain on the grid and decreasing our carbon emissions.

Last week, technical experts packaged and removed the lithium-ion battery cells from the La Verne site. Two battery units located on the other side of the facility are out of service and will remain non-operational. Decisions about future use of the battery energy storage systems will be deferred until the investigations are complete.

For more information and next steps, visit Metropolitan's La Verne Facility Fire Incident Information page.

Ultramarathon runner finishes 2,000-mile Colorado River journey at Metropolitan, urges action to build long-term resilience for the basin

Above, ultramarathon runner and water advocate Mina Guli finishes her 2,000-mile run at Metropolitan's headquarters on Sept. 17. Below, a group from Metropolitan ran with Guli on her final seven miles. From left, Senior Resource Specialist Jennifer McCarthy, Manager of Colorado River Resources Bill Hasencamp, Mina Guli, Senior Resource Specialist Noosha Razavian, and Board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr.

Arriving to a cheering crowd, ultramarathon runner and water advocate Mina Guli crossed the finish line of her 2,000 mile journey along the Colorado River at Metropolitan's downtown Los Angeles headquarters on Sept. 17.

Over three months, Guli ran the length of the Colorado River, from its headwaters in the Rocky Mountains to where it runs dry just over the border in Mexico. For her final seven miles, she was joined by Metropolitan Board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. and Colorado River and Water Resource Management team members.

Guli's "Keep the River Running" campaign hosted summits in partnership with the Pacific Institute, including a summit at Metropolitan. The event brought together business leaders, policymakers, non-governmental organizations and Tribal representatives to collaborate and take action for the long-term resilience of the Colorado River basin.

Watch the video. Learn more about Keep the River Running.

Education to Workforce tours at Iron Mountain, Gene pumping plants aim to connect desert, tribal communities to jobs in water

Andres Villafana, team manager at Iron Mountain, leads a tour of the pumping plant for educators and tribal leaders on Sept. 23.

Metropolitan last month brought educators and tribal leaders to tour Iron Mountain and Gene pumping plants and hear directly from staff about the classes, skills and experience students need to get jobs at Metropolitan and in the water industry.

The tours are part of an ongoing effort to strengthen relationships with tribes and neighboring communities and recruit the next generation of water workers. Some of Metropolitan's desert facilities have struggled to find qualified personnel, and the hiring need is only going to grow as more employees hit retirement age.

"We’re bringing people in to see the space, the environment and the equipment so they get a deeper understanding of the skills and education needed," said Brenda Martinez, Metropolitan's workforce development manager. "That will help them prepare students for these jobs." 

The trip coincided with Metropolitan's participation and sponsorship of the Nativisions Film Festival hosted by the Colorado River Indian Tribes. The festival included a screening of "The River," a 2026 documentary exploring the Colorado River crisis. Metropolitan staff are in talks with the filmmakers to host a screening of "The River" at Metropolitan headquarters.

Learn more about Metropolitan's workforce development and career opportunities.

Metropolitan celebrates 50th anniversary of the Robert A. Skinner Water Treatment Plant

Metropolitan staff, retirees and board directors gathered on Oct. 1 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Robert A. Skinner Water Treatment Plant in Winchester.

The plant provides up to 350 million gallons per day to Eastern and Western municipal water districts in Riverside County, and to the San Diego County Water Authority. The plant and adjacent reservoir were named for Robert A. Skinner, an engineer who served as Metropolitan's general manager from 1962 to 1967.

Learn more about the Skinner water treatment plant and how Metropolitan safeguards water quality.

Metropolitan's Project Labor Agreement: Strengthening the workforce and the regional economy

Now in its fourth year, Metropolitan's Project Labor Agreement creates pathways into the construction trades for local and transitional workers, who have overcome challenges such as having been homeless, in the foster care system or formerly incarcerated. Ronald Rimer, a journeyman laborer working on the Garvey Reservoir rehabilitation project, shared how the PLA helped him advance his construction career. Read the PLA annual report for 2026.

MetWorks 2026: Join Metropolitan and member agencies to learn about contracting opportunities for businesses of all sizes

MetWorks, Metropolitan's annual business outreach and networking event, is expected to be its biggest yet. This year, Metropolitan invited all 26 member agencies to participate, providing Southern California construction and consulting firms, suppliers and other businesses even more opportunities to connect with staff and learn about contracting opportunities.

Register by Oct. 8 for MetWorks on Oct. 15 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Sheraton Fairplex Suites & Conference Center in Pomona. Learn more.