1. science
2. ecology
3. pollution

A diver provides a water sample as part of source water monitoring
at Diamond Valley Lake.
CHAPTER 4
Water System Operations
T
he Water System Operations Group conveys, treats and
distributes water for nearly 19 million Southern Californians.
WSO ensures excellent water quality for Metropolitan’s sixcounty service area that meets all drinking water standards, and
operates and maintains Metropolitan’s five treatment plants with a
combined capacity of more than 2.6 billion gallons of water per day.
WSO balances demand and supply as it operates, manages and
maintains Metropolitan’s water and power systems. It also oversees
security; provides machine and fabrication services to support
Metropolitan infrastructure; offers technical advice and support to
member agencies, customers and other entities; provides technical
training to ensure an effective, efficient and safe work environment;
runs Metropolitan’s Apprenticeship Program; assists in planning,
design and construction of new facilities; and responds to emergencies
to restore service in the shortest time possible.
Water Treatment
Metropolitan’s five water treatment plants treat water from
the Colorado River and Northern California. The Robert B. Diemer
Water Treatment Plant provides treated water to areas of Orange
County and coastal Los Angeles. The Joseph Jensen Water Treatment
Plant supplements local water supplies in the San Fernando Valley,
Ventura County and central Los Angeles, while the F.E. Weymouth
Water Treatment Plant generally serves eastern Los Angeles County,
the San Gabriel Valley and parts of Orange County. The Henry J.
Mills Water Treatment Plant serves western Riverside County and
Moreno Valley. The Robert A. Skinner Water Treatment Plant serves
parts of Riverside County and meets the supplemental treated water
needs of San Diego County.
47
48
In June 2013, WSO began integrating Diemer’s newly constructed
ozone facilities into plant operations. WSO expects to fully implement
the ozone disinfection process by summer 2014. This year, WSO
refurbished the Diemer plant’s 48 filters with new media (anthracite
coal and silica sand) and seismically upgraded the treated water reservoir to better withstand seismic activity.
Rehabilitation projects continued at the Weymouth plant in
preparation for the completion of ozone conversion in 2016. Projects
included integrating into Weymouth Plant operations a new 66 kilovolt
electric power service to support the ozone system, while also
installing two new 2.25 megawatt emergency generators, and
upgrading ammonia, chlorine and caustic soda feed systems.
At Skinner, WSO upgraded the old electrical equipment of the
original plant. As part of the project, equipment inside nine motor
control centers was completely rebuilt and three electrical buildings
were fully insulated, sealed and retrofitted with air conditioning units
to improve cooling efficiency, cleanliness, and to increase equipment
life.
An upgrade of the Mills plant influent pipeline receiving State
Water Project deliveries occurred this year. WSO refurbished an
acoustic flow meter by replacing 16 sensors. The new electronic
controls require significantly less maintenance, have fewer moving
parts and are significantly more reliable.
WSO upgraded the Jensen chlorination system by relocating
several chlorine injection points and increasing the filter outlet
chlorination capacity. WSO also modified the programmable logic
controls for the plant’s emergency power generators. The modifications provide for reliable emergency generator operations under
various power outage conditions.
As part of a turbidity meter upgrade, Metropolitan replaced all
of the turbidity meters at the Mills plant and about half of the meters
at the Weymouth plant with the latest instrumentation technology
to measure the clarity of filtered water as required by water quality
regulations.
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
49
As a result of these and numerous other capital projects during this
fiscal year, Metropolitan invested more than $63.4 million in refurbishing, upgrading and expanding its five water treatment plants.
Water Quality
Regulations
Metropolitan actively tracked and commented on draft regulations
and proposed public health goals. In December 2012, the Office of
Environmental Health Hazard Assessment revised the draft technical
support document for a proposed updated Public Health Goal of 1 part
per billion for perchlorate. The PHG is a guide used by the California
Department of Public Health as a first step in setting or revising a
maximum contaminant level. In January 2013, Metropolitan worked
with the Association of California Water Agencies to comment on
this draft. Staff also tracked the CDPH draft MCL for chromium 6
expected for release in August 2013.
In May 2013, CDPH published the Long Term 1 and 2 Enhanced
Surface Water Treatment Rule. These rules, effective July 2013, will
establish treatment techniques instead of MCLs for turbidity and
specific microbial contaminants. These rules mirrored federal requirements established in January 2002 and January 2006, respectively, and
required no further investment or operational changes.
Water Quality Monitoring
Water quality staff performed more than 267,000 analytical tests
using 166 methods on nearly 49,000 samples this year. The number of
samples collected from Metropolitan’s treatment plants, distribution
system and source water may change each year depending on regulations, monitoring plan, operations and water quality studies.
50
Compliance
Metropolitan met all primary drinking water standards during
FY 2012/13.
Chemical/Physical
Staff analyzed Metropolitan’s source and treated waters for inorganic and organic compounds, physical properties, and other
constituents. Table 4-1 lists the locations sampled for organic chemicals while Tables 4-2 through 4-4 show results for trace metals,
radiologicals, and general minerals and physical analyses. Staff did
not detect herbicides, pesticides, or organic compounds.
TABLE 4-1
SAMPLE LOCATIONS FOR ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
Fiscal Year 2012/13
Source Water Devil Canyon Afterbay Diamond Valley Lake (West Basin Center/12‐meter depth) Jensen Plant Influent Lake Havasu Intake (12‐meter depth) Lake Mathews Headworks Lake Perris (near outlet tower at 9‐meter depth) Lake Skinner Outlet Conduit San Jacinto Tunnel 1
Treated Water Diemer Plant Effluent Jensen Plant Effluent Mills Plant Effluent Skinner Reservoir Effluent1 Weymouth Plant Effluent Skinner Reservoir Effluent is a combined effluent from three Skinner plants. TABLE 4-2
TRACE METALS IN METROPOLITAN WATER SUPPLIES
Fiscal Year 2012/13 Averages (in micrograms per liter or µg/L)
Mills
128
ND
1.8
32
ND
160
ND
ND
0.17
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
230
ND
4.1
ND
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
51
SOURCE WATERS
TREATMENT PLANT
EFFLUENT
Colorado River Water
State Project Water
Blended Water
Maximum Minimum
San
METAL
Contaminant Reporting Lake
Jacinto
Lake
Castaic Silverwood Silverwood Lake Weymouth Diemer Diamond
Lake
Skinner
Level
Level
Havasu Tunnel Mathews Lake at
Lake at
Lake at Perris
Influent Influent
Valley Skinner Weymouth Diemer Jensen (Reservoir
(MCL)
West
Jensen
Devil
Mills Lake
Effluent)1
Portal
Influent Canyon
Influent
15
15
27
28
36
25
36
20
23
ND
17
145
162
78
ND
Aluminum
10
1000(2002)
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Antimony
6 2
2.7
2.6
2.5
2.3
2.4
2.4
1.9
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.5
1.8
2.0
1.9
0.6
Arsenic
10
0.5
111
108
113
32
32
33
40
96
87
36
68
94
88
32
67
Barium
1000
5
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Beryllium
4 0.5
100
100
120
170
160
160
120
130
120
140
120
130
120
170
120
Boron
NA
20
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Cadmium
5
0.1
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Chromium
50
1
0.03
ND
ND
0.12
0.16
0.19
0.04
0.08
0.07
0.07
0.06
0.09
0.09
0.13
0.10
Chromium 6
NA
0.03
3
2
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Copper
10
1300 (1000 )
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Iron
50
3002
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Lead
1
153
42
42
45
ND
ND
ND
ND
31
29
ND
23
30
30
ND
22
Lithium
NA
10
2
ND
ND
ND
ND
20
16
9
ND
7
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
10
Manganese
5
50
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Mercury
2
0.2
4
5
5
ND
ND
ND
ND
5
4
2
4
4
4
3
4
Molybdenum
NA
2
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Nickel
100 2
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Selenium
50
5
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Silver
5
1002
980
970
990
250
230
230
200
810
720
290
590
770
750
250
590
Strontium
NA
20
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Thallium
2
1
2.3
2.3
2.6
3.2
4.2
4.2
3.3
3.2
3.2
2.3
2.4
2.9
3.0
3.2
ND
Vanadium
1
504
30
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Zinc
20
50002
Notes: 1 Skinner Reservoir Effluent is a combined effluent from three Skinner plants.
2
Secondary standard based on consumer acceptance rather than health considerations.
3
Action Level. The MCL for lead has been replaced with a treatment technique requiring agencies to optimize corrosion control treatment when the action level is exceeded in more
than 10 percent of the samples collected at the consumers' tap. Copper has a similar treatment technique requirement in addition to the secondary MCL.
4 Notification Level for vanadium is a health‐based advisory level. NA = Not Applicable. Standards have not been established for these constituents.
ND = Not Detected
52
TABLE 4-3
RADIOLOGICAL COMPLIANCE MONITORING1
2011 Four Quarter Ranges (in picoCuries per liter or pCi/L)
MCL
DLR
Lake Havasu 15
3
3.2‐5.6
50 *
4
ND‐4.5
NA
1
ND
NA
1
ND
COMBINED RADIUM
5 **
1
ND
San Jacinto Tunnel 3.5‐7.6
ND‐6.4
ND
ND
ND
Lake Mathews
ND‐4.7
ND‐7.4
ND
ND
ND
Silverwood Lake
ND
ND‐4.4
ND
ND
ND
Lake Perris
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Diamond Valley Lake
ND
ND‐4.0
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND‐3.1
ND‐5.5
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND‐6.1
ND
ND
ND
Diemer Plant Effluent
ND‐3.2
ND‐4.1
ND
ND
Jensen Plant Influent
ND
ND‐5.0
ND
Jensen Plant Effluent
ND
ND‐4.2
ND
ND
ND
ND
LOCATION
GROSS ALPHA GROSS BETA
Lake Skinner
Weymouth Plant Effluent
Mills Plant Effluent
2
STRONTIUM 90
8
2
ND
TRITIUM
URANIUM
RADON 222
20,000
1,000
ND
20
1
2.0‐2.7
NA ***
100
ND
ND
ND
2.6‐5.1
ND
ND
ND
2.4‐3.3
ND
ND
ND
ND‐1.0
ND
ND
ND‐1.9
ND
ND
1.0‐1.6
ND
ND
ND‐2.2
ND
ND
ND
1.2‐1.7
ND
ND
ND
ND
1.7‐1.9
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
1.1‐1.5
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND‐1.5
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND‐1.0
ND
RADIUM 226 RADIUM 228
Skinner Reservoir Effluent ND
ND‐5.3
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND‐1.8
Notes:
Results obtained during Calendar Year 2011 triennial sampling. Data are reported for three years until the next samples are collected.
2
This is a combined effluent from three Skinner plants.
* The gross beta particle activity MCL is 4 millirem/year annual dose equivalent to the total body or any internal organ. The screening level is 50 pCi/L.
** Standard is for radium 226 and radium 228 combined.
*** To date, there has been no significant regulatory action on the proposed federal standards.
DLR = Detection Limits for Purposes of Reporting
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level
NA = Not Applicable. Standards have not been established for these constituents.
ND = Not Detected. All results less than Detection Limit for Purposes of Reporting (DLR) were reported as ND.
1
ND
TABLE 4-4
GENERAL MINERAL AND PHYSICAL ANALYSIS OF METROPOLITAN'S WATER SUPPLIES
Fiscal Year 2012/13 Averages
CONSTITUENTS
Lake Havasu
ND
161
0.07
71
0
77
ND
0.3
ND
San Jacinto
Tunnel
ND
157
0.05
69
0
79
ND
0.3
ND
Lake
Mathews
ND
153
0.06
67
0
84
ND
0.3
ND
2.1
24
1.3
4.2
8.6
81
218
132
280
3.01
5
13
NA
8.14
919
19
12
566
0.59
0
1.4
24
1.1
4.3
8.6
82
218
129
275
2.95
3
13
NA
8.29
917
21
7
565
0.39
0
1.5
25
0.7
4.4
8.0
86
222
126
274
2.90
3
13
NA
8.26
934
20
10
574
0.81
0
2.6
12
2.1
2.6
12.6
50
42
79
109
2.36
6
11
NA
7.83
474
15
4
259
0.65
100
1.2
12
2.3
2.7
11.4
55
37
78
103
3.03
8
12
NA
8.14
488
17
12
265
0.86
100
TREATMENT PLANT EFFLUENT
Diamond
Valley
Lake Perris
Lake
ND
ND
97
98
0.26
0.20
22
27
0
0
79
67
ND
ND
ND
0.1
ND
ND
2.7
12
0.7
2.9
12.1
55
38
79
106
3.16
7
11
NA
7.80
501
18
10
269
1.2
100
3.0
13
1.4
3.1
10.4
52
62
80
122
2.36
5
12
NA
7.76
517
16
7
286
0.49
90
Lake
Skinner
ND
123
0.14
43
0
73
ND
0.2
ND
Weymouth
ND
126
NA
54
0
89
ND
0.9
ND
Diemer
ND
126
NA
54
0
87
ND
0.9
ND
Jensen
ND
100
NA
23
0
69
ND
0.8
ND
Skinner
ND
118
NA
43
0
80
ND
0.8
ND
Mills
ND
95
NA
22
0
81
ND
0.8
ND
1.3
18
0.6
3.6
9.7
64
122
101
181
2.88
4
12
NA
8.22
682
20
10
395
0.51
56
1.7
22
1.3
4.1
8.5
82
173
103
226
NA
1
12
0.35
8.08
840
19
4
497
0.05
31
1.7
22
1.3
4.0
8.4
81
174
104
227
NA
1
12
0.39
8.10
839
20
3
496
0.04
32
0.8
12
2.1
2.6
12.1
54
45
82
108
NA
1
12
0.20
8.31
493
19
3
270
0.04
100
1.0
17
0.8
3.6
9.7
71
125
98
181
NA
1
12
0.54
8.33
712
22
2
411
0.06
55
0.7
12
3.1
2.8
11.1
60
43
79
104
NA
1
12
0.22
8.38
518
20
3
284
0.06
100
53
Notes:
1 MFL = million fibers per liter
2
mg/L = milligrams per liter
3
Methylene blue active substances
4
µS/cm = microSiemen per centimeter or micromho per centimeter (µmho/cm)
5 TON = Threshold Odor Number
6
NTU = Nephelometric Turbidity Units
NA = Not Applicable
ND = Not Detected
SOURCE WATERS
Castaic Lake
Silverwood Lake
at Jensen
at Influent
Devil Canyon
ND
ND
96
95
0.21
0.24
23
21
0
0
67
77
ND
ND
0.1
ND
ND
ND
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
Asbestos
Bicarbonate
Bromide
Calcium
Carbonate
Chloride
Cyanide
Fluoride Foaming Agents Free Carbon Dioxide
Magnesium
Nitrate
Potassium
Silica
Sodium
Sulfate
Total Alkalinity as CaCO3
Total Hardness as CaCO3
Total Organic Carbon
Color
Corrosivity: Aggressiveness Index
Corrosivity: Saturation Index
H+ Concentration
Specific Conductance
Temperature
Threshold Odor Number
Total Dissolved Solids
Turbidity
Pct. State Project Water
SYMBOLS
AND
UNITS
1
ASB
MFL
HCO3
mg/L2
Br
mg/L
Ca
mg/L
CO3
mg/L
Cl
mg/L
CN
mg/L
F
mg/L
3
mg/L
MBAS
CO2
mg/L
Mg
mg/L
NO3
mg/L
K
mg/L
SiO2
mg/L
Na
mg/L
SO4
mg/L
TA
mg/L
TH
mg/L
TOC
mg/L
COLOR
Units
AI
AI
SI
SI
pH
pH Units
EC µS/cm4
TEMP
°C
TON
TON5
TDS
mg/L
TURB
NTU6
SPW
%
54
Total Dissolved Solids
Salinity of the Colorado River Aqueduct is typically higher than
the State Water Project due to geology and size of the respective
watersheds (Figure 4-1). Precipitation also affects salinity as indicated
by steep declines in CRA salinity during heavy rains in 1993 and
2005. Figure 4-2 presents Total Dissolved Solids levels (as flow
weighted averages), a measurement of salinity, in the effluent from the
five treatment plants. The Weymouth and Diemer plants treated lower
blends of SWP water due to its limited supply, resulting in TDS levels
near Metropolitan’s water quality goal of 500 milligrams per liter.
Disinfection Byproducts
Metropolitan began compliance monitoring under the Stage 2
Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule in April 2013. The
rule establishes an MCL for total trihalomethanes and five haloacetic
acids based on the running annual average at each sampling location.
The running annual averages at each location were below the MCLs of
80 micrograms per liter (µg/L) for TTHMs, 60 µg/L for HAA5 and
10 µg/L for bromate. Table 4-5 shows the levels of disinfection
byproducts TTHMs, HAA5 and bromate in plant effluent. Figures 4-3
and 4-4 summarize long-term trends for TTHMs and HAA5.
Figure 4-5 exhibits levels of the DBP precursors, total organic
carbon and bromide, in plant influent. The gap in bromide data at
Skinner is due to influent chlorination to control quagga mussels
during FY 2009 and 2010. Bromide levels naturally drop every
spring and summer due to Sierra snowmelt and increased outflow from
the Delta. Figure 4-6 shows levels of bromate, a byproduct of ozone
treatment, which came online at Mills in 2003, Jensen in 2005 and
Skinner in 2010. Mills began applying an ammonia-chlorine bromate
control strategy in October 2010, and when demands justify its use, the
strategy results in lower bromate levels and operating costs.
55
Figure 4-1. Total Dissolved Solids in East Branch SWP (Silverwood Lake),
West Branch SWP (Castaic Lake), and CRA (Lake Havasu)
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L)
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
Castaic Lake
Silverwood Lake
Lake Havasu
800
750
700
650
600
550
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13
Year
56
700
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L)
600
500
TDS Goal = 500 mg/L
499
503
400
420
300
277
267
Mills
Jensen
200
100
0
Diemer
Weymouth
Skinner
Figure 4-2. Total Dissolved Solids in Plant Effluent, Annual (Flow-Weighted) Averages, Fiscal Year 2012/13
TABLE 4-5
DISINFECTION BYPRODUCT LEVELS
IN PLANT EFFLUENT
Fiscal Year 2012/13
36‐50
80
44
Jensen
8.1‐13
Mills
HAA5 (µg/L)2
Quarterly Annual Range
Average
Bromate (µg/L)
Quarterly Annual Range
Average
11‐18
60
15
NA
10
NA
9.9
1.9‐3.7
2.8
5.0‐7.8
6.3
15‐22
18
2.0‐7.4
4.8
2.0‐5.8
3.4
Skinner
13‐32
19
1.5‐6.1
3.4
4.4‐7.1
5.4
Weymouth
40‐46
43
10‐17
14
NA
NA
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
Plant Effluent
MCL
Diemer
TTHMs (µg/L)1
Quarterly Annual Range
Average
1
TTHMs = total trihalomethanes in micrograms per liter (µg/L) or parts per billion
2
HAA5 = five regulated haloacetic acids
MCL ‐ Maximum Contaminant Level
57
NA ‐ Not applicable (ozone not yet on‐line)
110
58
120
TTHM Rule Maximum Contaminant Level
RAA= 100 μg/L (prior to Jan. 2002)
Total Trihalomethanes (μg/L)
100
Stage 1 D/DBP Rule (Jan. 2002)
Maximum Contaminant Level
RAA = 80 μg/L
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
TTHMs Quarterly Average
TTHMs Running Annual Average (RAA)
79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13
Year
Figure 4-3. Trihalomethane Levels - Distribution Systemwide Quarterly and Running Annual Averages
(μg/L = micrograms/Liter or parts per billion)
70
60
Quarterly Average HAA5
HAA5 Running Annual Average RAA
Stage 1 D/DBP Rule (Jan. 2002)
Maximum Contaminant Level
RAA = 60 μg/L
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
Haloacetic acids (μg/L)
50
40
30
20
10
0
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
Year
59
Figure 4-4. Haloacetic Acids - Distribution Systemwide Quarterly and Running Annual Averages through
Fiscal Year 2012/13(μg/L = micrograms per liter or parts per billion; HAA5 = five regulated haloacetic acids)
Diemer Treatment Plant Influent
6.0
TOC Quarterly Average
TOC Running Annual Average
Bromide Quarterly Average
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
0.50
0.45
0.40
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
Bromide (mg/L)
Total Organic Carbon (mg/L)
60
Total Organic Carbon (mg/L)
TOC Quarterly Average
TOC Running Annual Average
Bromide Quarterly Average
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
0.50
0.45
0.40
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
Bromide (mg/L)
Skinner Treatment Plant Influent
6.0
0.50
0.45
0.40
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
Bromide (mg/L)
Year
Year
Weymouth Treatment Plant Influent
Total Organic Carbon (mg/L)
6.0
TOC Quarterly Average
TOC Running Annual Average
Bromide Quarterly Average
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
Year
Figure 4-5. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Bromide Levels
in Treatment Plant Influent, FY 2002-2013
(Chlorination to control quagga mussels restricted bromide
measurements at Skinner in FY 2009 and 2010.)
Jensen Treatment Plant Influent
6.0
TOC Quarterly Average
TOC Running Annual Average
Bromide Quarterly Average
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
Year
09
10
11
12
13
Mills Treatment Plant Influent
6.0
TOC Quarterly Average
TOC Running Annual Average
Bromide Quarterly Average
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
Year
09
10
11
12
13
0.50
0.45
0.40
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
Bromide (mg/L)
61
0.50
0.45
0.40
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
Bromide (mg/L)
Total Organic Carbon (mg/L)
Total Organic Carbon (mg/L)
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
Figure 4-5 (Continued). Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and
Bromide Levels in Treatment Plant Influent, FY 2002-2013
62
12.0
Jensen Treatment Plant Effluent
Maximum Contaminant Level RAA = 10 µg/L
Bromate (μg/L)
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
3
r-1
Ap
2
t-1
Oc
2
r-1
Ap
1
t-1
Oc
1
r-1
Ap
0
t-1
Oc
0
r-1
Ap
9
t-0
Oc
9
r-0
Ap
8
t-0
Oc
8
r-0
Ap
7
t-0
Oc
7
r-0
Ap
6
t-0
Oc
6
r-0
Ap
5
t-0
Oc
5
r-0
Ap
4
t-0
Oc
4
r-0
Ap
3
t-0
Oc
0.0
Bromate Quarterly Average
Bromate Running Annual Average (RAA)
Year
Mills Treatment Plant Effluent
12.0
Maximum Contaminant Level RAA = 10 µg/L
Bromate (μg/L)
10.0
Ammonia-chlorine enhanced
bromate control began
8.0
6.0
4.0
Bromate Quarterly Average
Bromate Running Annual Average (RAA)
2.0
3
r-1
Ap
2
t-1
Oc
2
r-1
Ap
1
t-1
Oc
1
r-1
Ap
0
t-1
Oc
0
r-1
Ap
9
t-0
Oc
9
r-0
Ap
8
t-0
Oc
8
r-0
Ap
7
t-0
Oc
7
r-0
Ap
6
t-0
Oc
6
r-0
Ap
5
t-0
Oc
5
r-0
Ap
4
t-0
Oc
4
r-0
Ap
3
t-0
Oc
0.0
Year
12.0
Skinner Treatment Plant Effluent
Maximum Contaminant Level RAA = 10 µg/L
Bromate (μg/L)
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
Bromate Quarterly Average
Bromate Running Annual Average (RAA)
3
r-1
Ap
2
t-1
Oc
2
r-1
Ap
1
t-1
Oc
1
r-1
Ap
0
t-1
Oc
0
r-1
Ap
9
t-0
Oc
9
r-0
Ap
8
t-0
Oc
8
r-0
Ap
7
t-0
Oc
7
r-0
Ap
6
t-0
Oc
6
r-0
Ap
5
t-0
Oc
5
r-0
Ap
4
t-0
Oc
4
r-0
Ap
3
t-0
Oc
0.0
Year
Figure 4-6. Bromate Levels in Treatment Plant Effluent, 2003 - 2013
(Jensen and Skinner Ozone came online in 2005 and 2010, respectively)
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
63
Microbiological
Metropolitan complied with the California Title 22 Code of
Regulations on Surface Water Treatment Rule (or the California
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule) by monitoring
treatment plant influent for total coliforms and E. coli (Table 4-6).
Coliforms are bacteria that naturally occur in the environment while E.
coli, a coliform that may indicate fecal contamination, is a factor used
in measuring the quality of influent water. The different ranges
observed at the plants may be influenced by the natural variability of
raw water coliforms, changes in source water, storm events or other
factors.
Metropolitan also complied with the federal Total Coliform Rule
and analyzed nearly 8,000 bacteriological compliance samples in the
distribution system to monitor the microbial quality downstream of the
water treatment plants. The monthly average of 0.03 percent total
coliform-positive samples was well below the 5.0 percent MCL under
the coliform rule.
TABLE 4-6
RAW WATER COLIFORM RESULTS
California Title 22 Compliance - Surface Water Treatment
Fiscal Year 2012/13
Diemer Treatment Plant Influent1 Jensen Mills Skinner Weymouth (CFU/100 mL) Total Coliforms Range ND‐1,300 Average2 310 E. coli Range ND‐1 Average2 ND 12‐1,500 410 33‐2,600 850 31‐13,000 1,800 290‐3,800 1,700 ND‐1 ND ND‐81 11 ND‐13 5 ND‐4 1 Notes: 1
Samples were collected weekly and analyzed by membrane filtration (EPA 1604). 2 Annual average of monthly averages. CFU/100 mL = Colony‐forming units per 100 milliliters
ND = Not Detected; method detection limit is 1 CFU/100 mL. 64
System Management and Pathogen Monitoring
Algae Control Program
Staff analyzed more than 2,300 samples for the earthy/musty tasteand-odor compounds 2-methylisoborneol and geosmin to monitor and
manage T&O events in source water (Fig. 4-7). More than half of
the samples were used to evaluate T&O problems caused by bluegreen algae in the State Water Project. This reflects the high algae
production potential of SWP supplies, which resulted in numerous
algae control treatments by the California Department of Water
Resources. Lake Skinner was treated three times during the year with
a total of 20 tons of copper sulfate to manage T&O events (Fig. 4-8).
Quagga Mussel Control Program
Metropolitan’s program for monitoring and controlling invasive
quagga mussels has been in effect since their detection in the Lower
Colorado River in 2007. Quagga control strategies in the CRA system
include chlorination at strategic sites along with desiccation and
removal of mussels during shutdowns. Mussel populations in the
CRA continue to show seasonal fluctuations but the control measures
have successfully limited further population increases. Staff monitored five sites along the CRA and three sites on the SWP. No quagga
mussels have been detected at the SWP sites. Staff continued to
collaborate with federal and state agencies to improve mussel management strategies and early warning invasion detection.
Pathogen Monitoring Program
Metropolitan’s Pathogen Monitoring Program routinely tests for
the pathogenic protozoa Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Monthly
monitoring of the plant influent and effluent during FY 2012/13
revealed neither pathogen to be present. In the last 14 years, less than
1 percent of the monthly plant influent samples tested positive for
either microbe, and all plant effluent samples were negative.
1200
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
Number of Samples Analyzed
1000
800
600
400
200
0
CRA System
Lake Skinner
Lake Perris
State Water
Project
Treatment Plants
65
Figure 4-7. Number of Samples Analyzed for the Taste and Odor Compounds, 2-Methylisoborneol (MIB)
and Geosmin, in Source and Finished Waters, Fiscal Year 2012/13
Diamond Valley Lake
300
Lake Mathews
400
Lake Skinner
350
250
200
150
100
Copper Sulfate Applied (tons)
66
450
50
0
2012/13
2011/12
2010/11
2009/10
2008/09
2007/08
2006/07
2005/06
2004/05
2003/04
2002/03
2001/02
2000/01
1999/00
1998/99
1997/98
1996/97
1995/96
1994/95
1993/94
1992/93
1991/92
1990/91
1989/90
1988/89
1987/88
1986/87
1985/86
1984/85
1983/84
1982/83
Figure 4-8. Copper Sulfate Usage between 1982/83 and 2012/13 in Metropolitan’s Reservoirs
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
67
Watershed and Water Protection
Watershed Protection
Metropolitan completed a Lake Mathews Watershed Study in
partnership with the County of Riverside and the Riverside County
Flood Control and Water Conservation District. The study developed
a watershed model for Lake Mathews to assess runoff pollution and
prioritize stormwater management options. Staff actively participated
in the Lake Mead Water Quality Forum and Lower Colorado River
Water Quality Partnership. Staff also collaborated with DWR and
SWP municipal contractors to expand a comprehensive Delta and
SWP water quality monitoring and forecasting program.
Staff also reviewed and commented on legislation, policies and
external projects affecting source water protection. Partnering with
the California Urban Water Agencies, Metropolitan supported adoption of the Central Valley Drinking Water Policy to amend the Basin
Plan that deals with water quality in the Central Valley region, with a
new water quality objective for pathogens. In addition, Metropolitan
amended its board-adopted Source Water Quality Protection Policy
Principles to advocate for water quality protection in energy development efforts.
Salinity Control
In partnership with the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control
Forum, Metropolitan engaged in salinity control efforts to reduce salt
loading into the Colorado River. Metropolitan also continued to work
with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Southern California Salinity
Coalition to update the 1999 Salinity Management Study, including
convening a workshop to address regional salinity management issues.
Uranium Mill Tailings
Through June 2013, the U.S. Department of Energy had removed
nearly 40 percent of a 16 million-ton pile of uranium mill tailings
from the banks of the Colorado River near Moab, Utah, and shipped it
via rail to a disposal cell approximately 30 miles northwest of Moab.
Although the DOE anticipates completion of tailings removal in 2025,
68
Metropolitan continued to advocate for increased funding to expedite
cleanup.
Topock Chromium 6 Remediation Project
Metropolitan worked with stakeholders to monitor and comment
on Pacific Gas & Electric’s chromium 6 groundwater remediation
process efforts along the Colorado River near Topock, Ariz. In April
2013, the second design submittal (60 percent of the overall design)
was completed. The selected treatment method involves biological
treatment within the groundwater basin. Metropolitan supports this
treatment alternative to remediate the contaminated groundwater.
Construction is expected to be completed in 2016 followed by operation of the treatment system for an estimated 30 years. Interim
measures, consisting of groundwater extraction and treatment, have
been in place since 2004 to protect the river. Levels of chromium 6
in the Colorado River adjacent to the Topock site are near or below
Metropolitan’s detection limit of 0.03 microgram per liter (µg/L).
Perchlorate Remediation
Perchlorate loading into Las Vegas Wash has dropped more than
90 percent since 1998 as a result of remediation at the Tronox, Inc. site
(now owned by the Nevada Environmental Response Trust) and the
American Pacific Corp. site in Henderson, Nev. (Figure 4-9). Levels
have consistently remained at approximately 1 µg/L at Metropolitan’s
Lake Havasu intake (Figure 4-10).
Metropolitan participated in stakeholder meetings with the Nevada
Division of Environmental Protection to track remediation progress
and assert Metropolitan’s interests to ensure cleanup efforts remain at
current levels. In August 2012, AMPAC changed its treatment technology from a groundwater-based biological treatment system to a
pump-and-treat, above-ground biological system that significantly
increased the rate of perchlorate removal. In May 2013, Metropolitan
and other stakeholders commented on the work plan for a long-term
remediation study that will identify the final treatment for the Tronox
perchlorate plume.
2,200
2,000
1,600
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
Perchlorate Loading (lbs/day)
1,800
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Year
69
Figure 4-9. Perchlorate Loading in Las Vegas Wash at Northshore Road
(½ mile upstream of Lake Mead)
70
10
9
State Maximum Contaminant Level
of 6 μg/L effective Oct. 2007
8
Perchlorate μg/L
7
6
5
4
3
Perchlorate
2
Reporting Levels:
4 μg/L 1997-2003
2 μg/L 2003-2007
0.1 μg/L 2007-present
1
0
12
20
11
20
10
20
Figure 4-10. Perchlorate Levels at Lake Havasu
09
20
08
20
07
20
06
20
05
20
04
20
03
20
02
20
01
20
00
20
99
19
98
19
97
19
Fiscal Year
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
71
N-Nitrosodimethylamine
Since 1999, Metropolitan has monitored its distribution system for
N-nitrosodimethylamine, a byproduct of the disinfection process that
occurs during chloramination. Table 4-7 shows that NDMA levels in
the distribution system for FY 2012/13. The concentrations were at or
below the notification level of 10 nanograms per liter (ng/L) established by CDPH in 2002.
Staff continued to study NDMA and other nitrosamines to assess
the vulnerability of Metropolitan’s two major watersheds to NDMA
formation and evaluate cost-effective water treatment options to
ensure compliance with potential regulations.
TABLE 4-7
N-NITROSODIMETHYLAMINE LEVELS (ng/L)1
IN THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Fiscal Year 2012/13
Sample Location1
Diemer Plant Jensen Plant Mills Plant Skinner Plant Weymouth Plant Central Pool Sites Range (ng/L)2
ND ND ‐ 2 ND ‐ 6 ND ‐ 6 ND ND ‐ 10 Notes: 1 Plant locations are distribution system sites associated with each treatment plant. 2
Nanograms per liter (parts per trillion); CDPH notification level is 10 ng/L 3 ND ‐ Not Detected; NDMA reporting level is 2 ng/L 72
Technology Assessment
Treatment Process Optimization and Development
Staff held a workshop with an external panel of experts to review
Metropolitan’s biofiltration design and operational goals, and recommend operational improvements. Biofiltration at Metropolitan’s ozone
plants increases the biological stability of treated water and minimizes
potential for bacterial growth in the distribution system. Staff also
completed a study at the Weymouth plant on filter configurations to
determine the most robust and cost-effective alternative for filter
performance and reliability.
Funded Projects
Metropolitan obtained funding from the Water Research Foundation to study contaminants that may be regulated in the future, e.g.,
nitrosamines and cyanotoxins, and alternative water treatment coagulant
aids (Table 4-8).
Service to Member Agencies and Drinking Water Industry
Metropolitan conducted quarterly meetings for member agency
water quality managers, and six webinars to provide member agencies
with water quality and operational updates as well as information on
current water quality issues such as: perchlorate, hydraulic fracturing,
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3, chromium 6, taste-andodor issues, NDMA and Consumer Confidence Reports. Metropolitan
also assisted the city of Glendale in the design, operation and review
of advanced water treatment processes to remove chromium 6. In
early 2013, Glendale submitted to CDPH a final report that identified
water treatment technologies and cost analysis for removing
chromium 6 from drinking water supplies, which may be useful in
setting regulatory standards for this contaminant.
TABLE 4-8
ACTIVE WATER QUALITY GRANTS1
Fiscal Year 2012/13
Amount of Award Budget2
to MWD3
Prime Funding Agency
Title of Grant Project
Water Research Foundation (WaterRF)
Development of a Protocol to Predict the Formation of Nitrosamines While Minimizing the Formation of Regulated DBPs
604,842
400,000
WaterRF
Optimizing Conventional Treatment for Removal of Cyanobacteria and Toxins
512,400
62,100
WaterRF
Controlling the Formation of Nitrosamines During Water Treatment
599,007
400,000
WaterRF
Investigating Coagulant Aid Alternatives to polyDADMAC* Polymers 540,670
50,000
WaterRF
Nitrosamine Occurrence Survey
711,902
400,000
TOTALS $ 2,968,821
$ 1,312,100
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
Total Project 1 2
Externally‐funded grant projects managed by Water Quality's principal investigators during the fiscal year.
Reimbursable dollars plus total in‐kind commitments from all participating agencies; includes payments to subcontractors as applicable. 3 Amount managed by Metropolitan; award amounts may occasionally change from prior years due to realigned budgets.
73
*Acronym for polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride, a type of flocculant or coagulant used in water purification/treatment.
74
Conveyance, Distribution and Support
Conveyance and Distribution
Water System Operations’ Conveyance and Distribution Section
performs preventive and corrective maintenance activities throughout
the year with the objective of ensuring reliable deliveries to member
agencies. In addition, the section plans and performs shutdowns to
complete pipeline and facility inspections, performs local repairs on
pipelines or equipment, and supports capital improvement program
projects. A description of FY 2012/13 activities follows:
Crews successfully completed shutdowns on the CRA and
San Diego Canal. In addition, crews performed two major multiweek shutdowns covering significant portions of Metropolitan’s
service area. More than 100 WSO employees successfully executed
a major shutdown of the Sepulveda and Second Lower feeders. This
work included inspecting prestressed concrete cylinder pipe and
repairing carbon fiber lining end joints. During the Second Lower
Feeder shutdown, crews replaced the refurbished Bixby Road sectionalizing valve, a 42-inch conical plug valve, weighing more than
56,000 pounds. Installation of this valve will help to minimize the
impact to the affected member agencies during future shutdowns for
rehabilitation of the Second Lower Feeder.
The Coatings Program protects Metropolitan’s physical assets
from corrosion and harsh environment to maximize their useful life.
Assets include equipment such as pumps, valves, meters, pipes and
structures such as buildings and delivery lines. In FY 2012/13, the
teams coated 147 pieces of equipment and 502 structures. Structures
that are particularly vulnerable to water damage—such as vaults
located below road grade—were sealed to prevent water intrusion that
accelerates corrosion.
Throughout FY 2012/13, WSO maintained an eight-pump flow
capability on the Colorado River Aqueduct. Several supporting CRA
reliability projects were undertaken. Work at the pump plants
included disassembling and repairing three main pump units, and
installing more than 1,000 critical retaining bolts on the delivery line
rocker supports. Crews upgraded various components on the high-
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
75
voltage power system, including the 230 kV disconnects used to
control the flow of electricity to each pump plant.
During FY 2012/13, crews performed nearly 304,000 hours of
maintenance on conveyance and distribution infrastructure, including
shutdowns. See Table 1-5 for a full list of shutdowns that occurred
during the year.
Operations Support Services
Operations Support Services provides maintenance engineering,
manufacturing, rehabilitation, new construction and emergency
response services to Metropolitan’s core operational functions and, on
a reimbursable contract basis, to the Department of Water Resources,
member agencies and other public entities.
Maintenance Engineering
Maintenance Engineering focuses on technical evaluations of
critical systems, tracks key performance indicators for maintenance,
develops operational and maintenance policies and introduces predictive and condition-based maintenance techniques. WSO continued to
implement a new maintenance program for emergency generators
based on the National Fire Protection Association standards. Standard
maintenance plans covering weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly
maintenance have been put in place and staff is developing plans for
multi-year maintenance covering additional critical power delivery
systems.
Staff also completed development of failure codes which are now
available for use by WSO maintenance staff. Failure codes allow staff
to classify equipment problems, track how they were remedied, and
document the cause of each problem, thereby improving overall
maintenance efficiencies. In FY 2012/13, maintenance staff began
training in the use of failure codes. WSO proactively tested 215
machines for vibration and trained six additional people in vibration
analysis to help improve predictive maintenance practices. Maintenance staff also equipped handheld devices with several new features,
including the ability for plant operators to collect turbidity readings
and maintenance technicians to perform regulatory required maintenance on backflow prevention devices.
76
Manufacturing Services
Manufacturing services provided by the shops at La Verne include
fabrication, machining and coating services; repairing and testing
of valves and pumps; refurbishing equipment; diving inspections;
floating reservoir cover maintenance; and, crane maintenance
and annual certification. La Verne shop staff rehabilitated three
7,500-pound slide gates that were later installed at the inlet to the
Jensen finished water reservoirs.
During FY 2012/13, Metropolitan renewed a $25 million contract
with the California Department of Water Resources to provide services
for the State Water Project. This contract allows Metropolitan to
provide services such as machining, fabrication, valve repair, and
coating to help ensure the reliability of the SWP infrastructure, which
is critical to Metropolitan’s water supply. This year’s projects of note
included: (1) refurbishing a 24-inch ball valve for South Bay; and
(2) fabricating and refurbishing large isolation gates and lifting beams
for the Oso, Thermalito, and Hyatt power plants; and (3) machining
replacement shaft seals and wear plates for the Mojave Siphon Power
Plant.
Construction Services
Construction Services staff and equipment are deployed throughout Metropolitan’s service area to perform general construction, install
and transport large equipment, maintain pipeline easements and access
roads, and respond to emergency construction needs.
During FY 2012/13, crews continued to grade and maintain more
than 300 miles of patrol roads along Metropolitan rights-of-way to
allow for safe access and inspection of pipelines. Crews completed
numerous construction projects that included: (1) modifying manholes
on the East Valley Feeder Pipeline to prevent contaminated stormwater runoff from entering the structures; (2) installing a new 60 kVA
uninterruptible power supply unit at the Perris pressure control
structure to provide backup power during local utility outages; and
(3) repairing minor leaks on three large-diameter pipelines on the
Colorado River Aqueduct and the Inland Feeder.
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
77
Construction Services staff constructed a new emergency service
connection on the Upper Feeder for the city of Sierra Madre. To
minimize disruptions to local residents, the concrete vault and piping
were constructed at the Lake Mathews facility and then the completed
product was transported to the work site in three pieces.
Power Support
During FY 2012/13, the Power Support staff maintained
generation facilities and increased generator reliability through regular
inspections, and preventative and corrective maintenance on eight of
16 Metropolitan hydroelectric plants. Staff developed standardized
testing protocols for hydroelectric power plants to ensure consistency
in testing and to assess reliability of high voltage electrical equipment.
As part of the Transformer Oil Evaluation Program, staff assessed
the condition and longevity of transformers throughout the Metropolitan service area. As the owner of the CRA 230-kilovolt electrical
transmission system, Metropolitan complied with applicable reliability
standards for these facilities, and supported compliance activities
required for Metropolitan’s power operations. Finally, Power Support
staff completed annual certifications of all meters for the hydroelectric
power plants, as required under Metropolitan’s power generation
contracts.
Fleet Services
In FY 2012/13, Fleet Services maintained a fleet of cars, trucks,
and heavy equipment to support Metropolitan’s field operations
and workforce transportation needs. Best management practices are
used to maximize asset value and longevity. Staff completed 4,102
preventive maintenance work orders on 1,750 vehicles and equipment
valued at approximately $40 million. Staff maintained cost-effective
operations through favorable fuel and replacement part contracts
coupled with the use of hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles. Staff
replaced selected vehicles and equipment as needed to ensure vehicle
reliability and meet air quality regulations.
78
Security and Emergency Management
Metropolitan’s Security and Emergency Management staff
protects its infrastructure and employees, and prepares for Metropolitan’s response to emergencies and disasters, both man-made and
natural. The security staff is comprised of security professionals who
provide 24/7 security monitoring and response by leveraging their
activities with a contracted guard force and a security system maintenance firm. The security system protects 72 facilities and includes
hundreds of card readers, door alarms, motion detectors and closedcircuit cameras. Metropolitan’s security staff works with federal,
state, and local law enforcement agencies to maintain the level of
protection required to adequately and proactively protect Metropolitan’s infrastructure. A review of procedures which concluded at the
end of FY 2012/13 found that Metropolitan’s security system still
effectively protected operational assets and remains highly functional.
Metropolitan hosted a joint seminar with the Department
of Homeland Security and the FBI on the protection of chemical
transportation via rail and highways. Guest lecturers for the seminar
included representatives from the FBI, the Transportation Safety
Administration, the California Highway Patrol, Amtrak and the
Los Angeles Police Department.
Emergency Management staff monitored multiple brushfires in the
spring and summer of 2013, including the massive Springs Fire in
May 2013. Another fire occurred in the Glendale foothills, a few
miles away from Metropolitan’s Eagle Rock facility. The fire was
quickly contained by firefighters before it became a serious threat to
Metropolitan facilities.
Metropolitan’s Emergency Response Organization participated
in emergency exercises this year, including the 2012 Golden Guardian
Exercise with the California Emergency Management Agency and
Federal Emergency Management Agency. This exercise focused on
prioritizing state and federal resources following a catastrophic event.
More than 60 people, including Metropolitan staff, representatives
from member agencies and the California Department of Water
Resources, participated in an exercise in late June 2013. The exercise,
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
79
which was held at Metropolitan’s headquarters, focused on Emergency
Operations Center management and communications during a major
earthquake.
Energy Management
Hydroelectric Power Recovery Plant Operations
Metropolitan has 16 small-conduit hydroelectric power recovery
plants that generated a total of 317 million kilowatt-hours for
FY 2012/13 (Table 4-9), and produced gross revenues of $24 million.
This was about 76 million kilowatt-hours less generation and more
than $5 million less revenue compared to FY 2011/12. The lower
energy production is due to a lower State Water Project allocation,
resulting in a reduced amount of generation at the power recovery
plants using water available from SWP. Further, the Yorba Linda
Power Plant remained off-line to allow facility modifications that will
accommodate hydraulic grade changes due to the new ozone facilities
at the Diemer plant. Generation from all 16 power plants was sold
under contractual agreements with Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern
California Edison, Southern California Public Power Authority,
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and DWR.
Edison Small Hydroelectric Contract Termination
In October 2012, Southern California Edison notified Metropolitan
they were invoking the early termination provision in the contract
under which they purchased the power generated by Metropolitan’s
Temescal, Corona, Venice, Red Mountain, and Wadsworth (DVL)
hydroelectric plants. The contract will now terminate on Oct. 31,
2013. Both parties had the option of early termination. The contract
would have ended in 2023 without the early termination. Metropolitan
has finalized a sale of power from the five hydroelectric plants for
November and December of 2013 and is in the process of negotiating
a longer-term contract.
80
Solar Power Energy Production
Metropolitan has two solar photovoltaic energy facilities. The
facility at the Skinner plant is rated at one megawatt and the Diamond
Valley Lake Visitor Center facility is rated at 0.52 megawatts. During
FY 2012/13, the Skinner plant produced 2,227 megawatt-hours of
energy and the visitor center produced 453 MWh of energy, all of
which is used to offset retail energy use at the two locations.
TABLE 4-9
HYDROELECTRIC POWER RECOVERY PLANTS −
PRODUCTION FOR THE PAST TWO FISCAL YEARS
Nameplate Capacity (Megawatts) 2012/13 Production (kWh) 2011/12 Production (kWh) 1 2,606,400 3,820,800 Lake Mathews 5 25,649,769 21,700,864 Foothill Feeder 9 56,141,087 56,714,302 San Dimas 10 27,886,726 44,326,690 Yorba Linda 5 0 9,287,954 Sepulveda Canyon 9 18,962,400 35,743,929 10 6,261,449 12,018,419 Temescal 3 17,871,814 14,334,801 Corona 3 17,409,069 12,401,633 Perris 8 1,270,191 18,910,403 Rio Hondo 2 3,548,191 2,145,741 Coyote Creek 3 5,190,930 3,421,694 Red Mountain 6 26,472,580 30,960,720 Valley View 4 11,576,057 7,966,654 24 41,550,437 71,996,038 Power Plant Greg Ave. Venice Etiwanda Wadsworth (DVL) TOTAL 30 55,026,724 47,780,836 131 317,423,824 393,531,477 Annual Power generation varies significantly, depending on: Member Agency demands, mix of water sources (Colorado vs. State Water Project), what shutdowns/outages are taking place and each generator's operational constraints. Power Plants are listed in the order they became operational. Greg Avenue was first and Wadsworth last.
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
81
Colorado River Aqueduct Power
In FY 2012/13, Metropolitan pumped more than 765,000 AF
through the Colorado River Aqueduct, requiring 1.5 billion kilowatthours of electricity. The energy demands for FY 2012/13 resulted in
the sales of about 101 million kWh to Southern California Edison.
Energy costs for pumping Colorado River water are shown in
Table 4-10. The current and historical energy resources used to meet
CRA water delivery energy requirements are shown in Table 4-11 and
Figures 4-11 and 4-12.
TABLE 4-10
ENERGY COST FOR PUMPING
COLORADO RIVER WATER
Fiscal Year 2012/13
Energy Source Hoover Power Plant
Parker Power Plant
Energy Purchases/Sales 1
Exchange (Edison & DWR ) 2
Colorado River Water Pumping Revenue 3
Benefit Energy and Exchange Surcharge 4
Reduction in Energy Surcharge 5
TOTAL Cost ($) 20,048,546 2,201,044 (3,455,921)
0 (1,033,241)
54,323 (46,819)
17,767,932 Notes: 1
Energy Purchases/Sales. A negative number indicates net revenue to Metropolitan. 2
Cost of exchanging energy with another utility. 3
Payments received for energy costs associated with moving non‐Metropolitan water on the CRA. 4
Tax paid to State of California for Edison Benefit and Exchange energy. 5 Reduction in tax due to transmission losses and small hydro generation 82
TABLE 4-11
METROPOLITAN'S HISTORICAL CRA ELECTRIC ENERGY USE
Kilowatt Hours
1987/88*
1988/89
1989/90
1990/91
1991/92
1992/93
Hoover
1,432,001,000
1,231,206,000
1,205,476,000
1,130,155,000
1,086,888,000
966,614,000
Parker
290,400,000
237,142,000
230,545,000
223,831,000
206,513,000
182,606,000
Edison Benefit 1
216,981,190
215,485,363
219,139,828
221,837,010
210,490,214
208,800,738
Edison Exchange 2
1,764,000
(27,764,000)
24,777,000
13,298,000
16,145,000
(28,220,000)
DWR
Exchange 2
0
0
0
0
0
0
1993/94
1994/95
1995/96
1996/97
1997/98
1998/99
1999/00
2000/01
2001/02
2002/03
2003/04
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
1,256,009,000
1,166,517,000
1,357,937,000
1,292,375,000
1,370,317,000
1,411,403,000
1,392,515,000
1,311,068,000
1,322,037,000
1,193,682,000
1,179,118,000
931,893,000
1,158,901,000
1,143,870,000
1,117,068,000
1,075,217,000
994,222,000
1,094,130,000
1,165,206,000
1,075,958,000
214,961,000
217,365,000
237,627,000
243,993,000
302,069,000
297,219,000
262,383,000
243,647,000
241,048,000
230,871,000
229,886,000
198,606,000
212,687,000
229,881,000
217,106,000
223,056,000
195,063,000
225,236,000
214,680,000
236,045,000
199,304,945
186,648,325
286,971,075
253,134,785
200,076,045
212,312,000
263,326,907
173,785,599
199,205,189
284,085,067
164,721,756
381,481,989
405,612,265
387,630,441
431,283,980
260,209,614
233,871,837
227,018,084
35,860,567
234,852,498
(16,175,000)
(88,977,000)
(32,150,000)
47,302,000
90,000,000
13,490,000
(26,405,000)
21,586,000
(54,931,000)
50,371,800
(61,823,800)
18,022,000
(116,265,000)
(38,400,000)
70,272,000
90,363,000
21,870,000
(160,574,000)
(33,725,000)
53,437,000
0
0
0
0
(123,316,955)
108,417,736
3,967,942
0
0
(162,807,504)
105,280,095
5,059,196
37,054,891
68,876
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total Edison & DWR Exchange & Edison Benefit
218,745,190
187,721,363
243,916,828
235,135,010
226,635,214
180,580,738
Energy Purchases/Sales 3
832,498,639
735,276,330
754,629,485
871,799,953
891,296,400
1,035,586,974
Total
2,773,644,829
2,391,345,693
2,434,567,313
2,460,920,963
2,411,332,614
2,365,387,712
183,129,945
97,671,325
254,821,075
300,436,785
166,759,090
334,219,736
240,889,849
195,371,599
144,274,189
171,649,363
208,178,051
404,563,185
326,402,156
349,299,317
501,555,980
350,572,614
255,741,837
66,444,084
2,135,567
288,289,498
914,591,730
680,010,352
401,318,041
595,050,513
327,992,313
329,691,494
646,961,000
788,937,000
804,044,166
232,051,017
(141,923,768)
(39,632,380)
74,465,049
(421,365,512)
(250,140,000)
371,765,025
595,894,000
583,958,000
33,603,000
(100,968,000)
2,568,691,675
2,161,563,677
2,251,703,116
2,431,855,298
2,167,137,403
2,372,533,230
2,542,748,849
2,539,023,599
2,511,403,355
1,828,253,380
1,475,258,283
1,495,429,805
1,772,455,205
1,301,684,805
1,585,589,980
2,020,610,639
2,040,920,837
1,969,768,084
1,415,624,567
1,499,324,498
Notes:
* Includes June 1987 data
1 Energy provided by Southern California Edison (Edison) at no cost pursuant to 1987 Service and Interchange Agreement.
2 Energy exchanged with Edison and DWR. Negative number indicates net energy banked with Edison or DWR.
Positive number indicates net energy received from Edison or DWR. 3 Energy Purchases/Sales. A negative number indicates net energy sold to others.
Energy Sales3
(100,968,000)
Edison Exchange²
53,437,000
Hoover
1,075,958,000
Parker
236,045,000
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
Edison Benefit1
234,852,498
Total Energy Requirement 1,499,324,498 kWh
Notes:
1
Energy provided by Edison at no cost pursuant to 1987 Service and Interchange Agreement.
2
Energy exchanged with Edison. Negative number indicates net energy banked with Edison. Positive number indicates net energy received from Edison.
3
Energy Purchases/Sales. A negative number indicates net energy sold to others.
83
Figure 4-11. Metropolitan's CRA Electric Energy Use (kWh)
Fiscal Year 2012/13
19
8
19 7/8
8 8
19 8/8
89 9
19 /9
9 0
19 0/9
9 1
19 1/9
9 2
19 2/9
93 3
19 /9
9 4
19 4/9
95 5
19 /9
9 6
19 6/9
9 7
19 7/9
9 8
19 8/9
99 9
20 / 0
0 0
20 0 / 0
02 1
20 / 0
0 2
20 2 / 0
03 3
20 / 0
0 4
20 4 / 0
05 5
20 / 0
0 6
20 6 / 0
0 7
20 7/0
0 8
20 8 / 0
0 9
20 9/1
1 0
20 0/1
1 1
20 1/1
12 2
/1
3
2,500
Energy Purchases/Sales
Edison & DWR Exchange
& Edison Benefit
Parker
Hoover
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
-500
Fiscal Years
Figure 4-12. CRA Energy Mix 1988 to 2013
84
Millions of kilowatt-hours
3,000
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
85
Parker Dam Energy Billing
During fiscal year 2013, Metropolitan received the second and
final installment of a $2.6 million refund on its Parker Dam energy
bills. This came as the result of a negotiated change to the billing
process for Parker Dam energy costs after it was determined that a
change in the Bureau’s accounting practices in 2000 had resulted in
double billing for administrative costs.
Greenhouse Gas Impacts
Metropolitan continued its efforts to mitigate the impacts of
California’s greenhouse gas regulations on CRA power costs. Under
current regulations, Metropolitan will be required to buy permits or
allowances for the greenhouse gases associated with the supplemental,
non-hydroelectric power Metropolitan imports into California to help
meet the pumping demands of the CRA. Metropolitan has been
working with the California Air Resources Board, the Legislature and
other state entities on possible alternatives.
CRA Energy Transactions with Edison
Southern California Edison and Metropolitan agreed to changes
in the disposition of energy provided by Edison to Metropolitan for
CRA operations. Due to changes in the way energy transactions are
accounted for on the California power grid, Metropolitan had lost
flexibility in the use of energy provided by Edison as part of the CRA
Service and Interchange Agreement. Edison and Metropolitan agreed
to certain changes in the agreement’s operating procedures that
restored some of Metropolitan’s energy transaction options. Under the
revised agreement, Metropolitan is now able to sell the short-term
surplus energy to Edison, thereby assuring a more efficient use of the
CRA energy resources.
Hinds Pumping Plant Power Monitor
A sophisticated power monitor was installed at the Hinds Pumping
Plant to record the response of the pumps to electric system
disturbances. Staff from the Bonneville Power Administration installed the monitor to help characterize the response of large pumps to
electric system disturbances. There is no cost to Metropolitan for the
86
installation and use of the monitor, and the data generated will be
analyzed by staff from Metropolitan, Bonneville, and Southern
California Edison. The results of the analysis will be used to modify
or validate existing pump models used in electrical disturbance
simulations of the electric grid in the western United States.
CRA Wind Energy Study
Metropolitan updated a report on wind energy along the CRA
that had previously shown the average wind speed was insufficient
to produce energy at a competitive price. The update considered
improvements in wind turbine design to extract energy out of low
speed wind conditions, as well as the reduced cost of wind turbines on
a per megawatt basis. The findings showed that the value of CRA
wind energy is still not economic. In addition, the variable nature of
wind power and other renewable energy resources makes it difficult to
integrate them into the CRA electric grid, even if the economics
improve.
Safety and Environmental Services
Operational Safety and Environmental Services Section staff
continued to oversee compliance with environmental and safety
regulations and procedures. Staff conducted numerous site inspections
to proactively address environmental and safety issues. In addition,
there were 84 routine regulatory inspections in the areas of air quality,
wastewater, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, stormwater, underground and aboveground petroleum storage tanks, and safety. Staff
coordinated and tracked all identified corrective actions.
Environmental
Staff provided all required compliance reporting for air quality,
wastewater and hazardous materials/hazardous waste. Staff negotiated
with and secured dewatering permits from regulatory agencies in
support of Metropolitan’s shutdown projects. Staff also managed 350
air quality permits for portable and stationary equipment.
Staff prepared and submitted more than 60 wastewater and storm
water reports and plans to comply with permit requirements. Staff
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
87
prepared and implemented 22 plans for oil spill prevention control and
countermeasures to comply with regulations for above-ground fuel
tanks. Also, staff tested all 42 of Metropolitan’s petroleum underground storage tanks to comply with leak prevention requirements.
Staff submitted nearly 40 annual disclosures and business plans
dealing with hazardous materials for required Metropolitan sites.
Health & Safety
Staff provided safety coverage during the 2012/13 shutdown season
to successfully minimize accidents and injuries. This included safe
work practices and ventilation monitoring for all underground operations. Staff proactively addressed safety performance through site
inspections, safety toolbox talks, safety committee communications
and revision of safety procedures. Staff reinforced requirements of the
Injury and Illness Prevention Program by engaging staff and managers
in safe work practices.
Table 4-12 shows the injuries, illnesses and incidents that required
time off from work during FY 2012/13 for each Metropolitan facility.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration defines Total
Incident Rate (also known as injury/illness rate), as the number of
recordable incidents in a year. Overall, Metropolitan’s Total Incident
Rate is below the average federal and state Total Incident Rate for
water utilities. A recordable incident is generally defined as a new
work-related injury or illness that results in death, lost time from work,
work restriction, or medical treatment beyond first aid.
SES staff investigated these incidents and worked with WSO
managers to implement proactive measures to reduce the incident rate.
In addition, SES staff implemented a safety initiative within WSO,
integrating safety into daily project planning and work assignments.
As a result, employees anticipate work hazards and develop measures
to minimize risk through engineering controls, safe work procedures
and personal protective equipment. Staff conducted several external
reviews of Metropolitan’s safety program to improve workplace
safety.
88
Apprenticeship Program Training
Metropolitan’s Apprenticeship Program graduated seven apprentices who became journey-level electricians and mechanics, helping
ensure that skilled trades persons continue to be available to repair and
maintain Metropolitan’s conveyance and distribution system and water
treatment facilities. Apprenticeship Program graduates passed more
than 90 tests and received more than 700 hours of classroom
instruction, and 7,200 hours of on-the-job training. Including the seven
new Program graduates, a total of 61 journey and electrical craft
persons have completed the program accounting for approximately
25 percent of the apprentice trades. The state Department of Apprenticeship Standards continues to recognize Metropolitan’s curriculum as
meeting the breadth and level commensurate with journey-level
mechanical and electrical trades.
WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS
89
TABLE 4-12
ACCIDENT INCIDENTS
Fiscal Year 2012/13
Location Diemer Diamond Valley Lake Eagle Mountain Eagle Rock Gene Camp Hinds Iron Mountain Jensen Plant La Verne Lake Mathews Lake Skinner Mills Plant Sacramento Soto Street Sunset Union Station Washington, D.C. AVERAGE RATE Federal Utility Average State Utility Average * Days Away, Restricted and Transferred Rate.
Total Incident Rate 18.9 5.5 0 0 7.9 22.7 9.5 15.8 5 11.2 10.5 8.6 0 3.8 0 0.6 0 4.8 5.4 6.9 DART* Incident Rate 10.2 5.5 0 0 3.4 0 9.5 9.5 3 4.8 6 4.3 0 3.8 0 0.4 0 2.7 3.5 5.4