Message from the Group Manager |
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2021 has brought some new challenges for Metropolitan and WSO. We are in the midst of a record drought with much of California severely impacted. Over the past several years, Southern Californians have embraced conservation which has reduced our region’s water demands. Metropolitan has also made sound investments in storage, helping to manage our supplies through this extreme drought year. But we need to prepare for the future—planning for the potential of drought next year and beyond.
That’s where the creativity and dedication of WSO staff comes in, working with others in Engineering Services, Water Resource Management and throughout the district. Several drought actions have already started with more on the horizon. We began a historic operation in May to move water from DVL to the Mills plant by gravity. Taking Mills off the SWP system is a major step in our drought reliability and is the result of forward thinking by WSO and Engineering staff that began during the last drought. We also just began operation of the Greg Avenue pumps, after overcoming some start-up challenges following a major rehab project. This now helps to move Colorado River to the far western parts of our service area, again, saving that precious State Project water during this 5-percent allocation year.
Another major focus this year is our transition back towards a more “normal” work environment. WSO has stepped up to the plate to continue safe and reliable deliveries throughout the pandemic. It’s encouraging to see recent trends in California with lower infection rates as a result of vaccinations and other COVID-19 safety practices. We’re seeing new protocols from the state relaxing certain restrictions and will look to apply the guidance from public health experts to our practices here at Metropolitan while ensuring the safety of our employees. Please remember that we are not out of the woods and it is very important that we all stay vigilant with our COVID-19 prevention practices.
Finally, I wanted to thank our entire team for another successful shutdown season. We’ve had several complex shutdowns and unexpected challenges this past year, including repairs for a large crack on the Upper Feeder flow control gate at Lake Mathews and multiple smaller pipeline leaks. Once again, WSO staff have risen to the challenge-- partnering with others throughout the district and our member agencies-- to ensure that our system can operate reliably now and for years to come.
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“Best in WSO” Safety Performers: And the Winners are…
In celebration of National Safety Month, we are excited to announce the top WSO safety performers for 2020 and 2019 (the pandemic delayed last year’s announcement). Congratulations to the Mills Unit (2020) and the Diemer Unit (2019) for their outstanding safety performances!
Throughout each year, key indicators are tracked that measure injury and illness prevention efforts and their overall effectiveness. At the end of the year, these metrics are used to identify the WSO organizational unit with the best safety performance in the following categories:
- Training – Mandatory safety training received
- Safety Inspections – Safety inspections conducted to identify and correct workplace hazardous conditions
- Toolboxes – Safety meetings routinely held to discuss safe work practices
- Job Safety Hazard Checklist – Pre-planning to identify critical safety requirements for a project/job
- Incident Rate – Cal/OSHA recordable work-related injuries or illnesses
To take the top spot in 2020, the Mills Unit consistently landed high marks in training, inspections and toolboxes completed, while capping off their efforts by completing 52 Job Safety Hazard Checklists. In 2019, Diemer Unit’s exceptional safety awareness contributed to 167,046 hours with zero workplace accidents or injuries.
As part of Metropolitan’s ongoing safety commitment, each WSO unit strives to continuously improve their overall safety performance. From 2019 to 2020, Construction Services Unit exhibited the most improved performance across the five categories.
These award-winning safety performances of the Mills, Diemer and Construction Services Units exemplify a commitment to safety and that every employee is responsible for ensuring a safe workplace. As we all know, SAFETY IS ESSENTIAL!
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West Valley Feeder No. 1 Shutdown
Doing What it Takes to Ensure Reliability of our Infrastructure
WSO partnered with Engineering Services on a shutdown of the West Valley Feeder No. 1 in the northwest San Fernando Valley in late April/early May. The shutdown involved replacement of the 57-year-old DeSoto valve, as well as an engineering PCCP inspection of the feeder. The shutdown posed unique challenges as WSO crews were brought in late in the game to perform the valve replacement, after we were informed the contractor would not be able to complete this work. The DeSoto valve was replaced with a sectionalizing butterfly valve and a new multi-orifice control valve to enhance operational flexibility. C&D and CSU staff worked around the clock to complete the shutdown safely and on time, supported by MSU and others. Extensive coordination was also required with the member agencies before and during this work to ensure a successful shutdown.
Click here to learn more about this impressive shutdown effort that demonstrates the adaptability of WSO staff to always get the job done.
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Recent and Upcoming Shutdowns
· Apr 4 - 9: Lake Skinner Outlet Tower – Perform maintenance on butterfly valves
· Apr 5 - 9: South Coast Feeder – Inspect PCCP (7.3 miles)
· Apr 7 - May 12: Lakeview Pipeline – Install bulkheads for drought action / Repair minor leak
· May 3 - 8: San Diego Pipeline No. 5 – Support SDCWA’s repair on their PCCP monitoring system/Perform valve repair at Red Mountain HEP
· May 3 - July 27: Live Oak Reservoir – Repair reservoir liner
· May 24 - 25: East Valley Feeder – Repair minor leak
· June 8 - 9: West Valley Feeder No. 1 – Repair minor leak at the De Soto sectionalizing valve
· July 26 - Aug 6: Inland Feeder – Support DWR’s installation of the IF-0 flowmeter
In the coming months, we will review the draft 2021-22 Shutdown Schedule with our member agencies. Please continue to review the draft shutdown schedule and if there are any shutdowns not shown in Facility/Equipment Availability (FEA) or in the draft shutdown schedule, please enter the shutdown requests in web-based FEA. If there are any questions about shutdowns or web based FEA, please contact the Shutdown Program team at MWDShutdowns@mwdh2o.com.
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Presentations and Reports |
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Keep checking our WSO YouTube Channel for noteworthy presentations recently given by your fellow WSO colleagues to our Board. We’re also using the channel to post other videos that you may find interesting.
Our latest additions to the channel:
Resolution for Financial Assurance for Post-closure and Corrective Action of the Iron Mountain Landfill: In April, Team Manager Emerson Lego gave an update to the Finance & Insurance Committee on post-closure activities associated with the Iron Mountain Landfill, and received approval by the Board on a resolution ensuring sufficient funding for any future maintenance or corrective actions.
Innovative Research at the Advanced Purification Center: In May, Team Manager George Di Giovanni and Principal Engineer Joyce Lehman updated the E&O Committee on innovative research conducted at Metropolitan’s demonstration facility in Carson that is testing advanced water treatment processes for recycled water.
Update on Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Improvements: Also in May, Interim Section Manager Victor Erikson provided the E&O Committee with an update on various improvements that have been made, as well as others planned, to ensure healthy indoor air quality at Metropolitan facilities.
Shutdown Planning at Metropolitan: In June, Associate Engineer Arman Motavvef gave the E&O Committee a behind-the-scenes look on the extensive planning and coordination that goes into Metropolitan’s shutdown program to ensure system reliability.
WSO Manager E&O Reports: Each month, a brief report is given to the E&O Committee on current operational issues and topics. Click here for the April, May and June WSO Manager reports.
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Key Reports and Plans
Strategic Asset Management Plan: The Operations Projects and Asset Management (OPAM) Unit has been working on a web site for the Asset Management Program. The home page for the program can be accessed from the IntraMet (https://intramet/) page or by clicking directly on this link: https://mwdsocal.sharepoint.com/sites/amp. On this web site, you can find Metropolitan’s Commitment to Asset Management, Strategic Asset Management Plan, Tactical Asset Management Plan for Revenue Meters and short videos and news.
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Metropolitan’s Annual Water Quality Report: Each year, Metropolitan issues its Annual Water Quality Report, which is produced through a partnership between Water Quality and External Affairs. This report describes actions that Metropolitan takes to ensure its water quality is safeguarded and supports our member agencies in preparing their own Consumer Confidence Reports. A key element of the report is a table that lists results of year-round monitoring conducted for over 400 constituents-- with those constituents detected shown. Metropolitan met all primary drinking water standards in 2020.
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SUMMERTIME RECIPES
BBQ season is here, enjoy some tried and true recipes for your Summer fun from Business Management Team Manager, Lucy Jarrad (USHQ).
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Broccoli Salad Bacon makes anyone a Broccoli salad fan and a nice break from the heavy carb potato or macaroni salad.
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Lemon Bars Finish off with a simple recipe of Lemon Bars, a lovely lemon kiss to clear your palate.
Do YOU have a favorite recipe you’d like to share, send it over to WSOexchange@mwdh2o.com and we may feature it in a future newsletter.
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Where Water and Electricity Mix: Power Scheduling Team
Metropolitan’s mission includes the delivery of reliable water supplies to our member agencies in an environmentally and economically responsible way. That can’t happen without access to a reliable and economical supply of electricity. This is where Dyanne Kellough, Team Manager of the Power Scheduling Team (PST) in the Power Operations and Planning Section of WSO comes in.
Dyanne and her team – Jim Danielson, Sal Heredia, Jenny Li, and Metropolitan newcomer Scot Rolfe – manage Metropolitan’s participation in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) electricity market. The power demands of the Colorado River Aqueduct can exceed 300 megawatts (MW) at full pumping flow (a megawatt is about enough power to serve 750 homes), and the team’s job is to monitor the electricity markets to make sure Metropolitan is getting the best price. They also manage the marketing of energy and capacity from Metropolitan’s hydroelectric assets at Hoover and Parker Dams on the Colorado River, as well as smaller hydro units scattered across Metropolitan’s extensive distribution system.
Click here to learn more on what Dyanne and her team are doing to manage our power resources to ensure reliable and cost-effective operations.
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Eagle Rheostat: Baking in the Heat
Working on vintage 1930’s equipment presents challenges that require creativity and innovation. Recently Engineer Luigi Delgado from WSO’s Hydroelectric Team and Engineering Tech Ryan Leiterman from ESG’s Corrosion Control Team had to come up with creative ways to replace a failed rheostat for the Eagle Mountain pumping plant after a vendor was not able to repair the device. A rheostat is a large variable resistor which is analogous to the volume control on an old radio. The device is integral to the efficiency and operation of the pumps and the pumps will not run without it. Components within the rheostat can generate temperatures as high as 1,400 °F and require an insulating compound that can withstand this heat and maintain electrical insulation to prevent shorting of the conductive wires.
Click here to learn how Luigi and Ryan worked with several manufacturers to test new epoxy materials that mimicked the properties of the existing 1930’s device.
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Recognizing Our Expertise:
WSO continues to share its technical capabilities and innovations with the water industry through conference presentations and journal articles. We will be recognizing these efforts quarterly in each issue of the WSO Pipeline. Click here to see a listing of novel work recently shared by WSO staff.
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Congratulations Class of 2020 Apprentices! - Click here to see our recent graduates and their achievements.
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Check out the employees recently coming into the group (since December 2020), along with those employees retiring after a successful career at Metropolitan.
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New Hires – Click here to see employees new to Metropolitan within WSO.
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Retirements – Click here to see WSO employees that have recently completed, or are soon to complete, their Metropolitan careers.
And speaking of retirements, our General Manager Jeff Kightlinger will soon be retiring after 15 years as GM of Metropolitan (our longest tenured GM), and over 25 years of service to the District. In June, Jeff took time out of his busy schedule to visit facilities at La Verne and in the Desert to meet with staff and see firsthand the critical work done each day to keep our system running. Thanks Jeff, for your leadership and support for WSO throughout your exceptional career and we all wish you the very best in your retirement!
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Play our crossword puzzle! Click here.
When completed, take a snippet of your completed puzzle or send us a picture from your camera to WSOExchange@mwdh2o.com to be entered into a drawing for a “goodies” bag of items. Entry submission deadline is 7/9/21. |
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FACT: Water Quality was first formed as a separate organizational unit at Metropolitan in 1974. At that time, it was called the Water Quality and Research Branch. The formation of this branch was triggered by the passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act, also in 1974, to protect public health by regulating the nation’s drinking water supply.
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FLASHBACK: When Water Quality Section Manager Mic Stewart first came to Metropolitan in 1987, there were only 35 regulated drinking water constituents (and only 22 when Water Quality was formed in 1974). Now, there are 120 regulated constituents that Metropolitan monitors for (along with many that are unregulated). Mic is the longest tenured director of Water Quality, holding this position for over 21 years— and nearly half the time since the formation of Water Quality! After over 34 years of dedicated service to Metropolitan, Mic will be retiring in July 2021.
Mic has been involved with many sensitive water quality issues during his tenure and reflects on a time when body-contact recreation at Metropolitan reservoirs was hotly debated. “Human pathogens are often associated with fecal material. A group of scientists I worked with came up with the term “Accidental Fecal Release” or AFR to describe pathogen loading into a reservoir from recreators. I remember when I first briefed executive management in advance of Board and public meetings on the topic and was asked if we considered alternative terms. I told them we considered Intentional Fecal Release with Malicious Intent (IFRMI) among others. I don’t think they quite appreciated the humor! Ultimately, AFR was used and it was amusing to see the reaction of our Board members!
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Fun Special thanks to the following contributors for this issue of the WSO Pipeline:
Safety Moment – Dan Guillory; Shutdowns – David Preach, Dean Rusin, and Robert Velasquez; WSO Spotlight – Dyanne Kellough; WSO Innovates – Luigi Delgado, Suhag Patel; Fun Facts and Flashbacks – Mic Stewart
Of course, the stories described in this issue would not be possible without the teamwork and dedication of everyone in WSO.
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Have you missed a past issue of the WSO Pipeline? Click here to search past newsletters. |
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CONTACT US
We’re always looking for energetic and creative staff who want to be involved in newsletter content. Please contact us at WSOExchange@mwd2ho.com if you’d like to be part of that team.
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