Message from the Group Manager |
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Managing through the current drought is a primary focus for Metropolitan. You may be aware that our Board recently raised Metropolitan’s water supply condition to a “Water Supply Alert”. This heightens the region’s focus on outreach, communication, and collaboration to voluntarily reduce water use and preserve storage during this severe drought. We are all ambassadors for Metropolitan, so it is important for us to apply and communicate a strong conservation ethic both in the workplace and in our personal lives.
Many of you are actively involved in developing new and creative drought mitigation concepts to make our system even more flexible and ensure reliability. There is a heightened focus on portions of our service area that only receive water from the State Water Project. With a high likelihood of starting next year with a zero percent SWP allocation, we must partner across the organization, as well as with our member and other agencies, on near-term actions and long-term solutions to adapt to increasing droughts and the effects of climate change. I’m confident in WSO’s ability to rise to that challenge.
We’re also beginning another shutdown season—a time of year that Metropolitan performs the critical work to ensure our system stays reliable for years to come. I recognize and truly appreciate your significant efforts during this time. Continue to effectively plan and communicate throughout the shutdown season, while always ensuring safety is the top priority. Please refer to my recent memo on key points and resources to ensure another safe and successful shutdown season.
Finally, we are in the heart of budget development and I appreciate your considerable efforts as we prepare for the next biennium. I certainly recognize the complexities of WSO’s budget and would like to give a special thanks to our business support teams throughout WSO for their hard work. It is important that we continue to be strong fiscal stewards while identifying and justifying the critical needs for WSO that will help ensure Metropolitan’s continued safe and reliable operations.
Despite the many challenges we currently face, I’m fully confident in WSO’s ability to adapt and effectively respond. Thanks for always doing what it takes to meet the district’s mission.
GM Field Visits
We truly appreciate the time that our General Manager Adel Hagekhalil took out of his very busy schedule to visit several of our field facilities to connect with staff, share his vision, and see firsthand the critical work done each day to keep our system running. Thanks for sharing what you all do and your unmatched level of expertise with our GM.
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Keep Safety Essential – Speak Up!
We welcomed a new General Manager to Metropolitan this year and with him, a new theme: “We are One.” How can we unite as one in safety? Speak up!
The Safety and Regulatory Services Section strives to integrate effective health, safety, and environmental practices into Metropolitan’s operations and culture. SRS’s new Safety Talk, Speak Up for Safety, attributes the strongest and most effective safety cultures to those where safety is a shared responsibility.
Sharing responsibility and working as one is especially important to field activities for WSO. Oftentimes, we rely on one another to provide a safe working environment. While it may be easier to stay silent, not speaking up contributes to the problem and doesn’t help your fellow coworkers. Instead, speak up and become part of the solution. All input for a safe working environment is valuable.
When speaking up, be respectful and mindful. Be specific. Be objective. Provide solid reasoning and offer your ideas for solutions. Metropolitan offers multiple avenues to communicate about safety. Select one that works best for you. You could bring up issues during planning, toolbox, or general safety meetings. You could share concerns with your local safety committee, management, supervisors, and/or SRS staff. If you prefer confidentiality, call the 24-Hour Confidential Safety Hotline (213) 217-5504 | Ext. 75504.
As always, SAFETY IS ESSENTIAL. Help keep yourself and your coworkers safe, whole, and working as one by SPEAKING UP FOR SAFETY!
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A Complete Overhaul of the Red Mountain Hydroelectric Plant
Metropolitan owns and operates 15 hydroelectric plants with a total installed capacity of 130 Megawatts of renewable energy. The 5.9-MW Red Mountain Hydroelectric Plant is located on the San Diego Pipeline No. 5 in Fallbrook and was commissioned in 1986. After more than 30 years of operation producing renewable energy, WSO’s Hydroelectric team embarked on a major rehabilitation through a multi-year capital project.
The $4.6 million rehabilitation effort, led by Hydroelectric Specialist II Trent Wong, included full tear down and inspection of the turbine-generator and reconditioning of all wear components including bearings, bushings and runner, cleaning, testing and new insulating varnish on the generator rotor and stator, along with reconditioning of auxiliary systems including the cooling water and lube oil systems. The work also included several improvements including data monitoring and data logging, which required installation of new field devices such as flow meters and temperature instruments, governor system, and a high lift system for ease of startup.
The project faced many challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic. This required additional safety planning and extended the project schedule, underscoring Metropolitan’s commitment to safety and doing the job right. Red Mountain HEP was successfully recommissioned and brought into service in August 2021, and is expected to provide continued renewable energy for the region for decades to follow.
Click here to learn how our team of Hydroelectric Specialists, crane operators, C&D mechanics, electricians and safety reps worked together to disassemble the Red Mountain HEP just before the COVID-19 pandemic would reshape the project.
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Recent and Upcoming Shutdowns
· July 23 - Aug 24: Inland Feeder - Support DWR’s installation of the IF-0 flowmeter (Click here to learn more about this shutdown)
· Nov 15 - 21: Calabasas Feeder – Inspect PCCP through the length of the pipeline
· Dec 5 - 14: San Diego Pipelines Nos. 1 & 2 – MWD work on Rainbow Tunnel. Support SDCWA’s inspection, 3D scan, and repairs on their tunnels
Over the past few weeks, WSO (guided by Associate Engineers Arman Motavvef and Derrick Cheng) has been busy coordinating with internal stakeholders, member agencies, and other external agencies to finalize the 2021-22 Shutdown Schedule. Click here for the Annual Shutdown Packet sent to the member agencies which includes the 2021-22 Shutdown Schedule, Three-Year Look Ahead, and other shutdown details.
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 channels to post other views that you may find interesting.
Our latest additions to the channel:
Apprentice Program Update: In July, Training Administrator Melissa Wassenaar gave an update to the E&O Committee on the Apprenticeship Program including a program overview, innovations implemented during the pandemic, and new initiatives for continuous improvements.
Power Operations and Planning Update: Also in July, Interim Section Manager John Jontry provided the E&O Committee with a comprehensive update of power operations and planning efforts at Metropolitan, including how the drought and summer energy pricing affects our operations.
Update on Emerging WQ Issues: In August, Section Manager Paul Rochelle updated the E&O Committee on key emerging water quality issues including PFAS, microplastics, and cyanotoxins; as well as other areas of focus for Water Quality to prepare for the future.
Authorize Support at RRWP Center: Also in August, Interim Team Manager Joyce Lehman presented an action item to the E&O Committee that successfully awarded a consultant agreement for the next phase of testing of a secondary MBR process at the Regional Recycled Water Advanced Purification Center.
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 July, August and September WSO Manager reports.
Power Operations and Planning Training Series:
After the energy crisis and rolling blackouts of Summer 2021, the economics and reliability of Metropolitan’s energy supply for moving water on the CRA and SWP received renewed focus. To help bring clarity and understanding on these issues, the Power Operations and Planning team developed a series of 30-45 minute seminars on energy markets, resource adequacy, and electric reliability compliance. These seminars provided an introduction to areas that are critical to Metropolitan’s success, but that many of us do not get to interact with on a regular basis.
These presentations are great material for new employees, or for anyone curious about these complex and important topics. If you missed it live, we are working on making these seminars available on demand—we’ll let you all know when they become available. Thanks to the POP team for pulling this all together!
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FALL RECIPES
October starts our three-month holiday season and with many of us dealing with the “Pandemic 15” weight gains, you may be looking for some healthy, yet delicious, alternatives to bring to the table.
Here are two delicious recipes, one SWEET and one SAVORY… try them out!
Do YOU have a favorite recipe you’d like to share? If so, send it over to WSOexchange@mwdh2o.com and we may feature it in a future newsletter.
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Metropolitan “Power” District of Southern California: 230,000 Volts for MWD
We all know of course that Metropolitan is a water district, but if you take a closer look at the power systems we own and operate, it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine the Desert Powerline Team maintaining a stand-alone power transmission and distribution system exclusively for our use.
230,000 VAC (Volts Alternating Current) of clean, renewable hydroelectric power is generated from Hoover Dam in Nevada, and Parker Dam on the Arizona / California border, for transmission across the arid Mojave and Sonoran Deserts to feed the five CRA pumping plants. These plants supply Colorado River water to Lake Mathews and Lake Skinner over 240 miles away.
Metropolitan’s desert power transmission system consists of over 300 miles of high-voltage power lines stretched across more than 1,200 75-foot high steel towers, built in the 1930s. In addition to the 300 miles of 230 kilovolt transmission lines, the team is also responsible for dozens of miles of 69kV transmission lines and 2.3kV distribution lines as far away as Lake Skinner, Weymouth, and Los Angeles.
Despite the large footprint of our electrical transmission system, it is maintained by a small, four-person team of professional line workers led by Team Manager Craig Spitz. Scott Berry, Dustin Lockman, Bob Reed Jr, and Corey Schnore spend nights away from home, and are accustomed to long days traveling hundreds of miles (often on unpaved roads) in support of MWD’s mission.
Whether the team is working to replace a power pole in Los Angeles, providing electrical subject matter expertise at Gene Camp, or maintaining NERC regulated lines near Las Vegas, one thing is clear: this small team helps power MWD’s mission to supply safe and reliable water across a region serving more than 19 million people.
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Driving Metropolitan Forward – Transitioning to a Sustainable Zero Emission Fleet
WSO is meeting the environmental and regulatory challenge to transition to a sustainable zero emission fleet head on. Through a cross-organizational collaborative group, the Clean Air Fleet Innovation Initiative (CAFII)*, WSO is leading the charge to identify zero emission (ZE) and near-zero emission (NZE) vehicle and equipment technologies that suit Metropolitan’s operational and reliability needs. State and local regulations and climate action goals are driving the transition, beginning in as early as 2024. WSO, Environmental Planning and Engineering Services have also partnered to sponsor a CIP to establish the necessary infrastructure, which includes passenger; light-, medium- and heavy-duty on-road vehicles; construction vehicles/equipment; forklifts; and employee and rideshare vehicles.
To experience the marketplace firsthand, SRS and Fleet representatives attended the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo, which is North America’s largest clean fleet event providing hands-on access to the fuels, technologies, and vehicles driving the future of transportation. WSO staff met with manufacturers and suppliers to preview the latest advanced clean vehicles and to learn more about how the battery, hydrogen, and renewable natural gas technologies can meet Metropolitan’s unique medium- and heavy-duty vehicle needs. Staff was even able to “walk the talk” and drive a hydrogen electric hybrid yard truck, an electric powered F-150 Raptor, a battery electric transit Ford cargo van, and a SOLO single-occupant electric vehicle.
Click here to view the electric and hydrogen powered ACT Expo vehicles. Stay tuned to hear more about “watts up” from CAFII!!
*WSO staff currently engaged in the CAFII effort include Dan Guillory, Carol Kaufman, Kiersten Melville, Anna Yeutter (SRS); Chris Gabelich, Roxana Ramirez (Reg/Leg); and Victor Erikson, Kevin Dick, Jolene Fuentes, Adolfo Lara, Mark Springer (Fleet)
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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. Click here to see a listing of novel work recently shared by WSO staff.
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Since July 2021, check out the employees coming into the group, employees retiring after a successful career, and other long-tenured employees reaching significant milestones.
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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.
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MAZE challenge
Click here to play our Maze challenge (You may have to copy the link https://mazegame.org/ and paste it into CHROME or EDGE to access this maze)
Try out this on-line Maze Game. It starts off with a BLACK screen, as if you were plunked down into a maze and all the lights are off. All you have is a little circle of light, your flashlight. Use the arrows in the bottom right corner to navigate. It takes some getting used to, but once you do, you’ll get hooked like we were.
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FUN FACT: Did you know that both goats and sheep were brought in to help construct Southern California’s largest reservoir? Not a baaaaa-d use of resources! Check out the role they played below, but more importantly, learn the story of two of our dedicated WSO employees.
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FLASHBACK: In 1992, MWD hired 12 Agency Temps to clear all the vegetation from the DVL reservoir (before it was filled with water). They estimated that 12 people could do this in 2-3 months. It ended up taking over 200 people and approximately 3 years to get the job done.
Juan Sandoval was there at the beginning in 1992 as one of the original 12 temps hired for vegetation clearing. Juan was happy to find this opportunity despite grueling work, climbing up and down the hills. Ricardo Renteria joined the team the following year in 1993.
Management quickly realized their 2-3 month goal, with 12 people, was completely unrealistic. Even with all the work clearing vegetation, each year after the rains, new vegetation would sprout up all over the areas previously cleared. Goats were brought in to cut down the vegetation; but that didn’t work out. A flock of sheep was brought in next – 5,000 of them – and the sheep were able to supplement enough of the clearing to make a difference.
The hard work caused lots of turnover, Juan, Ricardo and other workers were engaged in almost daily training, teaching others how to uproot and remove large, deep-rooted vegetation. Juan and Ricardo were grateful for the work, during challenging economic times; and appreciated joining the MWD family, coming on as regular employees years later.
Juan and Ricardo are now both O&M Tech IVs on DVL C&D team. This year marks their 29th & 28th years, respectively, with the District. When Juan and Ricardo look out over the DVL these days, they can take great pride in their contributions to this significant project.
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Fun Special thanks to the following contributors for this issue of the WSO Pipeline:
Safety Moment –April Fiedler Hall; Shutdowns – Victor Erikson, Derrick Cheng ; WSO Spotlight – Scott McMullen, Craig Spitz; WSO Innovates – Carol Kaufman, Kiersten Melville; Fun Facts and Flashbacks – Juan Sandoval, Ricardo Renteria
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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