Los Angeles Department of Water and Power facts for kids
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| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | 1902 (water) 1916 (electric) |
| Preceding agency |
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| Type | Water infrastructure and electricity |
| Headquarters | John Ferraro Building 111 North Hope Street Los Angeles, California 34°03′29″N 118°14′58″W / 34.0580°N 118.2495°W |
| Employees | 9,400 employees |
| Annual budget | US$6.1 billion (fy2017/2018) |
| Agency executive |
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| Website | www.ladwp.com |
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is the largest public utility in the United States. It provides water and electricity to over four million people and businesses in Los Angeles and nearby areas.
LADWP started in 1902 to bring water to homes and businesses. In 1917, it also began to deliver electricity. Over the years, LADWP has been involved in important projects and events, like the building of the Los Angeles Aqueduct.
Contents
History of LADWP
Early Water Supply in Los Angeles
In the mid-1800s, Los Angeles was growing fast. The city's water system, which used open ditches, was not good enough for homes. These ditches were often dirty. In 1853, the city council said no to a system of closed pipes that would bring water directly to houses.
Later, the city tried letting private companies handle the water. The first company used wooden pipes, but heavy rains destroyed them in 1861. Other attempts by private companies also failed.
City Takes Control of Water
Because private companies struggled, the city council gave up its rights to the water in the Los Angeles River in 1868. This allowed three businessmen to create the Los Angeles City Water Company. This company did not always follow the rules. For example, they secretly took much more water than they were allowed.
As their contract was ending in the 1890s, people wanted the city to take back control of the water supply.
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The John Ferraro Building, LADWP Headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles
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A view from the top of LADWP headquarters
A key leader in this effort was Fred Eaton. He believed that the city could use tax money to provide water without charging people directly for it. Eaton had a lot of experience. He had worked for the Los Angeles City Water Company and later became the City Engineer. He felt the private company was charging too much and not improving the water system.
In 1897, the city decided not to renew the private company's contract. They began planning for a city-owned water system. It was important for the experienced workers from the private company to keep their jobs. This included William Mulholland, who knew everything about the water system by heart. He had memorized the size of every pipe and the location of every valve! Mulholland helped the city buy the water system for two million dollars.
LADWP Starts Delivering Power
The Los Angeles Bureau of Power and Light was created in 1911. Its job was to manage the city's electrical system. In 1922, it bought the power system from Southern California Edison within the city. By 1937, it became the main power supplier in Los Angeles.
That same year, the Bureau of Power and Light joined with the Bureau of Water Works and Supply. This created the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). By 1939, LADWP was the only company providing electricity to Los Angeles.
LADWP first offered electricity in 1917. This power came from Power Plant No. 1, a hydroelectric power plant in San Francisquito Canyon. It used water from the Los Angeles Aqueduct to make electricity. This plant still works today, powering many homes.
Power Plant No. 2 was added in 1920. It was damaged when the St. Francis Dam failed, but it was quickly rebuilt and still operates today.
How LADWP Powers Los Angeles
LADWP supplies over 21,130 gigawatt hours of electricity each year. This goes to more than 1.5 million homes and businesses.
LADWP gets its electricity from different sources:
- Natural Gas: About 24% comes from natural gas power plants.
- Coal: About 21% comes from coal-fired plants. LADWP plans to stop using coal by 2025.
- Nuclear Power: About 14% comes from a nuclear power plant in Arizona.
- Hydropower: About 2% comes from water power, mostly from Hoover Dam and the Los Angeles Aqueduct system.
LADWP also uses the Castaic Power Plant. This plant stores water and releases it to make power when electricity demand is high. Then, at night, it pumps the water back up when electricity is cheaper. This plant provides about 22% of LADWP's total power.
LADWP's power system covers five Western states. It brings electricity to over 4 million people in Los Angeles.
Green Energy Goals
In 2004, the Los Angeles City Council asked LADWP to get 20% of its energy from clean sources by 2010. LADWP met this goal! They also met and exceeded goals for 25% by 2016 and 33% by 2020.
As of 2020, about 37% of LADWP's power comes from renewable energy. This includes the Pine Tree Wind Farm, which is the largest wind farm owned by a city in the U.S. LADWP is also investing in solar power and geothermal energy.
In 2021, a study called "LA100" showed how LADWP could get 100% of its energy from renewable sources. This could happen as early as 2035! The plan includes a lot more wind and solar power.
LADWP is working to become coal-free by 2025. They are selling their share in a coal plant and changing another plant to run on natural gas.
Underground Power Lines
Many power lines in Los Angeles were built above ground. Since 2007, LADWP has been working to move these lines underground. This is a big project because it costs a lot of money and can affect traffic. It also takes a long time to do.
New underground cables are being used that do not need oil as an insulator. This is better for the environment.
How LADWP Supplies Water
In 2019, LADWP provided about 159 billion gallons of water to over 735,000 homes and businesses. This water travels through 7,340 miles of pipes!
Here's where the water comes from:
- Sierra Nevada: About 48% of the water comes from the Sierra Nevada mountains through the Los Angeles Aqueduct. This water flows by gravity, so it doesn't need electricity to move.
- Metropolitan Water District: About 41% comes from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. This water travels from the California Aqueduct and Colorado River Aqueduct. Moving this water uses a lot of electricity, much of which comes from Hoover Dam.
- Local Groundwater: About 9% comes from water found underground in Los Angeles. This water is carefully managed.
- Recycled Water: About 2% is recycled water. This water is used for things like watering plants, recreation, and industrial uses.
The amount of water from each source can change each year.
LADWP is always looking for new water sources. This is because Los Angeles needs more water, and some old sources might provide less. They are looking into connecting to the California Aqueduct, using more recycled water, and collecting rainwater. Many old pipes are also being replaced to handle future water needs.
Where LADWP Provides Service
Besides Los Angeles, LADWP also provides water and electricity to parts of:
Overall, LADWP serves four million people and businesses in its service area.
How LADWP is Managed
Board of Water and Power Commissioners
LADWP is overseen by a group of five people called the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners. The Mayor of Los Angeles chooses these commissioners, and the Los Angeles City Council approves them. They serve for five years.
The Board makes important decisions for LADWP. They decide on water and electricity rates, approve renewable energy projects, and set rules for employees.
The Board usually meets twice a month. Their meeting plans are available to the public before they meet.
Current Board of Water and Power Commissioners
- Richard Katz, President
- Term: until June 30, 2026.
- George McGraw, Vice President
- Term: until June 30, 2027.
- Mia Lehrer, Commissioner
- Term: until June 30, 2024.
- Nurit Katz, Commissioner
- Term: until June 30, 2027.
- Wilma Pinder, Commissioner
- Term: until June 30, 2027.
Executive Management
The daily operations of LADWP are managed by the General Manager and other senior leaders.
In 2014, Marcie L. Edwards became the first woman to lead LADWP. She started working at LADWP when she was 19 years old as a clerk.
Currently, Martin L. Adams is the General Manager of LADWP.
Current Executive Management
- General Manager and Chief Engineer: Martin L. Adams
- General Counsel: Julie Riley
- Senior Assistant General Manager of the Water System: Anselmo Collins
- Senior Assistant General Manager of the Power System, Power Construction, Maintenance and Construction: Brian Wilbur
- Senior Assistant General Manager and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer: Robert J. Meteau Jr.
- Senior Assistant General Manager, Corporate Services: Andrew Kendall
- Chief Information Technology Officer: Mark Northrup
- Senior Assistant General Manager, Corporate Strategy and Communications: Joseph Ramallo
- Senior Assistant General Manager of External and Regulatory Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer: Nancy Sutley
- Chief Safety Officer: Nazir Fazli
- Inspector General: Sergio Perez
- Chief Financial Officer: Ann M. Santilli
LADWP Headquarters
LADWP's main office is in a 17-story building called the John Ferraro Building. It was built in 1965 to bring all of LADWP's offices together in one place.
On September 21, 2012, this building was named a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. It was renamed the John Ferraro Building in 2000, after a Los Angeles City Councilman named John Ferraro. You might have seen the building in the 2010 movie Inception.
See also
- Glendale Water and Power Department
- Intermountain Power Agency
- Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
- Hyperion sewage treatment plant
- Cristobal Aguilar, Los Angeles mayor who in 1868 vetoed an ordinance that would have sold Los Angeles's water rights
