Around LADWP
LADWP Aqueduct Team Completes Repairs After Historic Breach
On March 15, LADWP crews completed repairing an uncovered concrete section of the Los Angeles Aqueduct that was damaged during the major winter storm that hit the Eastern Sierra during the week of March 6, returning the aqueduct to service. Completion of repairs allowed crews to stop diverting water through the Alabama and Cottonwood Spill gates that was temporarily required during repairs.
The breach, which occurred late on March 10, north of the Haiwee Complex approximately two miles south of the town of Olancha, was the first of its kind and took the expertise of about 75 LADWP personnel to make repairs. Their work included removing spoils, backfilling and placing shotcrete as a means to protect the channel against erosion.
“It took our full Aqueduct team to complete this historic repair. It was a great accomplishment by our crews, under the leadership of Joe Bowling, Independence Construction and Maintenance Supervisor and Ben Butler Senior Hydrographer Aqueduct and Reservoir Keeper supervisor – managing that many boots on the ground in a short amount of time with unfavorable conditions is no easy task,” said Adam Perez, LADWP Aqueduct Manager.
2023 Open Enrollment for Health and Dental Benefits
Enroll In-Person:
- April 24 – May 5
- 8:00 am – 3:00 pm (Monday – Friday)
- JFB A-Level
- Make changes to your benefits, including choosing a new plan Health and dental carrier representatives will be available to assist and provide information
- Health and dental carrier information sessions (schedule available at https://ebenefits.ladwp.com)
Enroll Online:
- For LADWP Sponsored Plans – make changes at https://healthcareladwp (accessible through MyDWP only)
- For IBEW Local 18 Sponsored Plans – make changes at www.mybenefitchoices.com/local18
LADWP Sponsored Plans information:
- https://ebenefits.ladwp.com
- healthplans@ladwp.com
- (213) 367-2023, (800) 831-4778
IBEW Local 18 Sponsored Plans information:
- local18@mybenefitchoices.com
- (818) 678-0040, (800) 842-6635
Celebrating Black Excellence
On February 27, LADWP capped off Black History Month with a Celebration of Black Excellence, led by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This lunchtime event open to employees featured a leadership panel discussion, arts display and entertainment, all to celebrate the rich heritage of Black employees at LADWP. Employees who could not attend in person also had the option of streaming the event over WebEx, recording available to the right. LADWP also welcomed Morehouse College students Chase Garrison and Matias Germain at the event, who worked with LADWP engineers during the HBCU Committee Innovation Research and Tech Day last year. Garrison and Germain worked on providing LADWP with potential solutions for future recycling of the 96 million shade balls currently deployed on the L.A. Reservoir. The students presented at the February 28 Board of Water and Power Commissioners meeting regarding their research.
Celebrating Black Excellence
On February 27, LADWP capped off Black History Month with a Celebration of Black Excellence, led by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This lunchtime event open to employees featured a leadership panel discussion, arts display and entertainment, all to celebrate the rich heritage of Black employees at LADWP. Employees who could not attend in person also had the option of streaming the event over WebEx, recording available below. LADWP also welcomed Morehouse College students Chase Garrison and Matias Germain at the event, who worked with LADWP engineers during the HBCU Committee Innovation Research and Tech Day last year. Garrison and Germain worked on providing LADWP with potential solutions for future recycling of the 96 million shade balls currently deployed on the L.A. Reservoir. The students presented at the February 28 Board of Water and Power Commissioners meeting regarding their research.
Water Distribution Employee Saves a Life
Every day, LADWP employees make a difference in the lives of Los Angeles residents. Recently Sergio Barragan (pictured center), a Water Service Supervisor in the Meter section of the Water Distribution division, went above and beyond in his service to the community when he skillfully navigated an emergency situation.
Barragan was traveling in the field and had pulled over to take a phone call when he was urgently approached by a woman who asked him to call 911. She explained there was a man nearby who was not breathing and needed immediate assistance. Barragan took action and called 911, then went to locate the man. He found the unhoused man unresponsive and updated the operator on the situation before beginning CPR compressions with the help of another bystander. When paramedics arrived on the scene, the unhoused man was breathing again thanks to Barragan’s quick actions to address the situation.
For this act of selflessness, Barragan was recognized at the March 14 Board of Water and Power Commissioners meeting by Senior Assistant General Manager of the Water System Anselmo Collins.
Establishing Science Based Targets
LADWP has been recognized as the first municipally owned utility in North America to establish science-based emission reduction targets, which provide a clearly-defined pathway for companies and financial institutions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These targets have been registered with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a global body which empowers businesses to set ambitious emission reduction targets in line with the latest climate science.
“We are delighted to be joining an international group of like-minded companies that are aligning their businesses with this science-based initiative,” said Board of Water and Power Commissioner Nurit Katz. “By joining, we recognize the crucial role utilities across the world can play in fighting climate change and securing a clean energy future.”
LADWP’s science-based targets would reduce organization-wide emissions 69.3 percent by 2030 from a 2015 baseline, while concurrently providing approximately 21 percent more energy relative to 2015. The targets will help prevent the worst impacts of climate change and LADWP’s GHG emission reduction targets extend across the Department’s investment opportunities and everyday operations demonstrating its commitment to a clean energy future. Read more on LADWP News.
share this page
This publication is written and published by the Customer Service, Communications and Corporate Strategy Division. For other 2022-23 issues, click the three horizontal lines icon next to the Contact logo at the top left of the document. Then click the “Editions” tab. For issues from 2000-2021, see Intranet page MyDWP/.
