Around LADWP
George McGraw Appointed to Board of Water and Power Commissioners
George McGraw, a leading expert on water and sanitation, joined the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners for his first meeting on July 11, following his appointment by Mayor Karen Bass and confirmation by the City Council on June 20th. He joins Board President Cynthia McClain-Hill and Board Members Mia Lehrer, Nicole Neeman Brady and Nurit Katz.
“George McGraw is internationally known for his water policy expertise and experience working on issues related to climate change, equity and environmental justice, and ensuring that water is affordable and accessible for all people regardless of income, race or ethnicity,” Board President Cynthia McClain-Hill said. “My fellow Commissioners and I are excited to have Mr. McGraw join us on the Board.”
McGraw also serves as the founder and CEO of DigDeep, a human rights nonprofit working to ensure that every person in the United States has equitable access to clean, running water and sanitation services at home. Headquartered in Los Angeles, DigDeep is the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to solving water access issues in the USA. A longtime Angeleno, McGraw brings to the role over twelve years of expertise in water access, infrastructure and public policy.
“I am honored by this appointment, and excited to put my passion and expertise to work in service of the city I love,” said McGraw. “I’ve dedicated my career to helping families across the US gain access to the taps and toilets that so many of us take for granted. Now I’m being given the chance to bring that same, relentless focus on solving the challenges facing my friends and neighbors.”
Juneteenth Events Spread Message of Freedom
Following the Los Angeles City Council’s vote to make Juneteenth a permanent paid holiday for city workers, LADWP unveiled a new photo exhibit at the John Ferraro Building in Downtown Los Angeles that spotlights the imagery and important milestones of the Black experience in Los Angeles and the United States at large. “And Still We Rise!” was introduced at an employee event on June 14 with about 150 attendees. Commissioned by LADWP’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and curated by Jill Moniz, the exhibit is organized through a timeline structure, which features historic events throughout the history of the United States and Los Angeles. The “And Still We Rise!” exhibit is located at the John Ferraro Building at 111 N. Hope Street, and is open during regular business hours, from 9:00am-4:00pm. It will be on display through August.
Two LADWP employee groups, LADWP-NSBE and the Water and Power African American Association, also hosted a Juneteenth event on June 15 with cultural and educational presentations in Gloria Molina Grand Park. The celebration featured cultural drum and dance performances, an oration with musical accompaniment and food trucks.
View images from both events below:
And on Juneteenth itself, June 19, the Department sponsored and participated in the first Juneteenth festival in Leimert Park since the holiday’s national recognition. The event showcased an LADWP booth with information about career opportunities and customer programs, including EVs and air conditioner rebates.
LADWP Celebrates Pride Month
LADWP continued to show support for LGBTQ+ employees and customers by participating in the L.A. Pride parade for the second year on June 11. Board President Cynthia McClain-Hill joined about 80 LGBTQ+ employees, allies and family members to march in the LADWP contingent. This year, the Department also featured an all-electric F150 vehicle, along with a bucket truck that is essential to maintaining reliable electricity for our more than 4 million customers. These vehicles were decked out in designs created and fabricated in-house by staff.
Pride Month also marked the official debut of the Department’s second employee resource group, LADWP PRIDE, which was developed by several employees who attended last year’s parade. LADWP PRIDE presented at the June 27 Board meeting about their mission to support LADWP’s LGBTQ+ employees.
LADWP provides an inclusive workplace that allows all employees to embrace their backgrounds and identities without judgment or bias. LADWP stands with our employees who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community as we strive to become an organization that uplifts all of our employees as we serve the diverse communities that make up Los Angeles.
Drinking Water Quality Report Now Available
The 2022 Drinking Water Quality Report has been published and made available to the public. Get the facts on LADWP’s rigorous treatment, testing and monitoring of L.A.’s drinking water and its compliance with all state and federal drinking water standards. The report details the results of tens of thousands of samples and hundreds of thousands of water quality tests for the past year. You’ll also learn how L.A.’s water quality remained a constant pillar of our collective health and peace-of-mind during the tumultuous three-year pandemic and how the Water System remained resilient in the face of climate change through severe drought and record rainfall. More information can be found in the full 2022 Water Quality Report, available now at www.ladwp.com/waterquality.
LADWP Captures First Place in National Hydrant Hysteria Event
LADWP’s Water Distribution division had an outstanding showing at the Hydrant Hysteria competition, held at the American Water Works Association (AWWA) ACE23 conference in Toronto, Canada in June. LADWP’s Western District “Hydro Kings” team, featuring Water Utility Workers Chris Torres and Tim Gonzales and coach Senior Water Utility Worker Alfredo Sandoval, placed first out of 24 teams from North America, including Mexico and Canada. Hydrant Hysteria is a fast-paced competition where two-member teams assemble a specified hydrant as fast as they can, measuring the team’s skill at assembling a hydrant quickly, totally and accurately. LADWP’s team qualified to represent AWWA’s California/Nevada section along with the City of Huntington Beach. Water Utility Worker Josh Madrid and Water Utility Supervisor Sergio Barragan also competed during the conference in the Tapping Competition and Meter Challenge. Events like these showcase the skills that our employees use on a daily basis to ensure that our customers receive reliable water service. Congratulations to all who represented LADWP!
Retired Employee Picnic Returns!
On June 3 and after a three-year hiatus, approximately 700 attendees gathered for the Annual Retired Employee Picnic, hosted by the Employees Association. Whittier Narrows Recreation Area served as the backdrop for the event, where past employees were able to catch-up and reminisce about their time with LADWP while enjoying games, food and prizes. Many recent retirees attended, along with some that retired over 30 years ago. All were welcomed back with smiles and open arms!
View some of the retirees and their thoughts on the event and retirement below, photos courtesy of the Employees Association:
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This publication is written and published by the Communications and Corporate Strategy Division. For 2022-2023 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/.
