Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts is comprised of five special districts and the Marina del Rey Water System. A division of Los Angeles County Public Works, Waterworks provides an average of 19.5 billion gallons of potable water a year to 280,000 Los Angeles County residents through 70,000 water accounts.

The sources of Waterworks’ water supply include local groundwater, imported water from the State Water Project (SWP) and the Colorado River Aqueduct (CRA). Approximately two-thirds of its supply comes from outside the Los Angeles County Region.

District No. 29 is Waterworks’ retail water provider for the communities of Malibu and Topanga. It serves potable water to approximately 22,300 people through 7,500 metered connections and has both residential and business customers.

One unique feature of District 29 is that it purchases its entire water supply from West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin). Water supplied to this district is completely dependent on the availability of imported water from West Basin, whose primary sources include the Colorado River and the California State Water Project (SWP). While imported water supplies can vary from year to year, both the Colorado River and SWP have been significantly impacted by the ongoing drought.

As longer and more extreme periods of drought impact the region as a result of climate change, Waterworks is evaluating water supply vulnerability and investigating ways to make water supplies and the distribution system more resilient. Among those efforts is an extensive public outreach campaign to promote water conservation awareness and support its customers in adopting water smart practices.

Water conservation directly impacts Waterworks finances, as water sales are its primary source of revenue. To ensure it is able to operate its infrastructure and maintain an exceptional customer experience, Waterworks is exploring additional financial resources, such as grants, to support ongoing capital projects and operations.

Waterworks continues to coordinate with regional partners to decrease future dependence on imported water and mitigate the effects of current and future drought cycles. Water supply availability continues to be a critical issue for the Los Angeles County Region.  Waterworks will continue to work with its strategic partners to implement the County Water Plan, the plan will articulate a shared, inclusive, regional path forward to sustainably achieve safe, clean, and reliable water resources for Los Angeles County, http://lacountywaterplan.org, and build resilient sources of local water supply.

Waterworks is also continuing to work with regional partners to collaborate on and share consistent water conservation messaging to customers across all Los Angeles County communities.

Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts works with regional partners to lessen dependence on imported water and mitigate drought effects through outreach on conservation. Through social media, newsletters and community meetings, Waterworks helps customers conserve with leak audits, smart irrigation systems and other methods. Waterworks’ programs aim to transform residents from passive water consumers to informed water advocates.

In addition to operational improvements throughout the system, Waterworks has implemented Level 2 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan, which targets a 20 percent reduction in water use. This is facilitated through a series of customer water use restrictions, including limiting outdoor irrigation to two-days a week, requiring shut-off nozzles on hoses, prohibiting water runoff into streets, and requiring restaurants to serve water only upon request. If drought conditions worsen throughout the state, additional water restrictions may be implemented to reduce demand.

Waterworks is helping lead the way through implementation of several actions and programs to build water resilience and address the largest impacts.

Waterworks deployed targeted social media content, billing inserts, automated phone calls, e-blasts, a newsletter and media relations to encourage customers to conserve. It has also implemented water conservation programs that save customers money, including a rebate program for water saving devices, turf replacement, and rain barrels to help customers capture stormwater. Additionally, Waterworks offers its customers a comprehensive and free water audit program. The audits check irrigation systems, appliances, and fixtures for any leaks or inefficiencies.

Water conservation should be practiced by all Los Angeles County residents, including youth. Waterworks is updating its elementary school water conservation education program with interactive class activities and lessons encouraging students to be mindful of water usage in their homes.

Finally, Waterworks is collaborating with Water for LA (waterforla.com), a regional education program designed to transform residents from passive water consumers to empowered and informed water advocates dedicated to sustainability and health for all.

On top of general information distribution, Waterworks is reaching out to the top five percent of residential water users by phone to alert them of their high usage and educate them on ways to conserve. Waterworks is also reaching out to customers who may be wasting water through behaviors like overwatering their lawns and gardens and letting outdoor irrigation drain into the street.

To promote awareness of Waterworks services, staff regularly attend community meetings, town councils and other public venues to promote water conservation, provide drought updates and keep customers informed of ongoing programs and projects.  Through these meetings and events, Waterworks endeavors to promote within its customer a sense of shared responsibility for regional water resiliency.

Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts works with regional partners to lessen dependence on imported water and mitigate drought effects through outreach on conservation. Through social media, newsletters and community meetings, Waterworks helps customers conserve with leak audits, smart irrigation systems and other methods. Waterworks’ programs aim to transform residents from passive water consumers to informed water advocates.

The post Los Angeles County Waterworks District Puts Forth Efforts to Conserve Water appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

MWD Board Chairwoman Gloria Gray (center) at the 2012 SCWC Annual Dinner with (left to right) Berlinda Jamerson, Board Chair, Destination Crenshaw, Art and Cultural Museum; Betty Johnson, Former Director of Diversity at Los Angeles Department of Public Health; Carolyn Fowler, Government Affairs Advisor LAUSD; Delphine Pruitt, Vice President Diverse Market & Business Development Officer and Chair, Bank of the West; Debra Reid, Executive Director, Jonathan Reid Family Rights Coalition and Monica Ector, daughter.

“I may be the first, but I won’t be the last.”

This inspiring statement from Vice President Kamala Harris has come to shape the beginning of 2021. This Black History Month, it is especially potent, and resonates closely to the outlook of a Southern California water professional and trailblazer, Gloria Gray. Gray is the current Board Chairwoman of the Metropolitan Water District, and is the first African American woman to hold the position. 

“As someone who has also been a ‘first’ in many roles in my life and career, I hope my examples of work and service inspire other women to also pursue their passions,” says Gray.

The Chairwoman has often shared that her path to leadership is rather different from many others in the water industry. She began as a stenographer in Los Angeles County. During the time she steadily elevated her career to become a healthcare administrator, Gray was earning her college degree while raising a family. After eight years on the Inglewood School District board and for various other nonprofits, Gray was encouraged to run for a seat on the West Basin Municipal Water District Board. She was voted into the position, becoming the first African American woman elected to the Board in its 66 years. 

“For decades, water has been a uniting force to sustain Southern California’s growth and prosperity, but not without its challenges,” says Gray. “As water leaders, we must bring our unique perspectives and diversity of thought to address these issues, and work together to advance innovative ideas and bold leadership that will serve all of our people now and in the future.”

Chairwoman Gray moved on to become one of West Basin’s representatives on the Metropolitan Board in 2009, and is currently serving her second term as Chairwoman at Metropolitan. She is the first African American and the second woman to hold this position in the district’s 92 years. In addition to her board service, she was appointed to the Delta Stewardship Council in 2010, a committee organized to support modernization efforts for the Delta Conveyance — the core of our state’s water delivery. 

Her distinguished service in the water industry earned her the highest honor in the SCWC: the Harriett Wieder Award.

At the SCWC Annual Event in October 2012, Gloria Gray poses for a photo with her significant other Leonard Tibbs and daughter Monica Ector after receiving the Harriett M. Wieder Award for leadership in California water.

“Gloria Gray is taking on the state’s most complicated water policy issues. Her unparalleled expertise and thoughtful approach are crucial. We’re pleased to honor her as a true water leader,” said Executive Director Charley Wilson at the time of the award. The statement remains true as true today as it was then.

Gray was honored with the Harriett Wieder Award in 2012 by the SCWC. She recalls being deeply honored to receive the award. “Given in the name of Harriett Wieder, it also represents the spirit of a true trailblazer for women in public service,” Gray said. “We all have an obligation to reach across the aisle and enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in our industry. This award speaks to that goal and the power of collaboration.”

Chairwoman Gray has broken many glass ceilings throughout her commitment to public service. In the words of Vice President Harris, she won’t be the last. 

Check out our throwback 2012 SCWC Annual Meeting and Dinner photo album and see who else you recognize! 

The post Black History Month Spotlight appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.

SoFi Stadium serves as the home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers of the NFL, and is the centerpiece of a 300-acre mixed use development featuring retail, commercial, hotel, residential, and outdoor park spaces.

“West Basin is proud to partner with SoFi Stadium and the City of Inglewood to help conserve drinking water in our region by using high-quality recycled water to meet many of the stadium’s irrigation and landscape beautification needs,” said West Basin Board President Gloria D. Gray. “This valuable partnership allows us to continue advancing environmentally sustainable communities in the West Basin service area.”

West Basin is a founding member of the Southern California Water Coalition.

The post West Basin Brings Recycled Water to SoFi Stadium appeared first on Southern California Water Coalition.